60th Congress \ 
1st Session ) 



SENATE 



r Document 

I No. 458 



REPORT UPON IMPIIOVEMENT OF 

VALLEY OF EOCK CREEK 

FROM MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE 

TO MOUTH OF THE CREEK /Vj 



LETTER FROM THE PRESTDEXT OF THE BOARD OF 
COMMISSIONERS OP THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA 
SUBMITTING, PURSUANT TO LAW, A REPORT UPON 
THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE VALLEY OF ROCK 
CREEK, FROM MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE TO THE 
MOUTH OF THE CREEK 



> 



May 2, 1908.— Referred to the Committee on the District of Columbia 
and ordered to be printed 

INIav 21, 1908. — Ordered reprinted with maps and illustrations 



WASHINGTON 
GOVERNMENT .PRINTING OFFICE 



k\ 



WiJfc 






^ fOTH Congress, ) SENATE. J Docuheent 

^ ^. 1st Session. f | No. 458. 

^ ,__ 

w 

\ &PORT UPON IMPEOVEJMENT OF VALLEY OF ROCK CREEK, FROM 
^"^ MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE TO MOUTH OF THE CREEK. 



LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS 
OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, SUBMITTING, PURSUANT TO 
LAW, A REPORT UPON THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE VALLEY OF 
ROCK CREEK, FROM MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE TO THE MOUTH 
OF THE CREEK. 



May 2, 190S. — Referred to the Committee on the District of Columbia and 

ordered to be printed. 

May 21, 1908. — Ordered reprinted with maps and illustrations. 



/ 



Office Commissioners of the District of Columbia, 

Washington, April 30, 1908. 
Sir : The Commissioners of the District of Columbia have the 
honor to submit the following report upon the improvement of the 
Valley of Eock Creek, from Massachusetts avenue to the mouth of the 
creek, in pursuance of the following provision contained in the act 
providing appropriations for the District of Columbia, for the fiscal 
year 1908: 

For preparation of plans and estimates for the treatment of the Valley of 
Rock Creek from Massachusetts avenue to the mouth of the creek, both by 
open-valley method and by conduit, including necessary surveys, borings, test 
pits, plan, and estimates of cost, four thousand dollars. 

Very respectfully, 

Henry B. F. Macfarland, 

President Board of ConiTnissioners, District of Columbia. 

Hon. Charles W. Fairbanks, ^ 

President of the Senate, Washington, D. G. 



Office Engineer Commissioner 

OF THE District of Columbia, 

Washington, April '25, 1908. 
Respectfully forwarded to the Board of Commissioners. 
The inclosed report is submitted in pursuance of an item con- 
tained in the District appropriation act for the fiscal year 1908, as 
follows : 

For pi-eparation of plans and estimates for the treatment of the Valley of 
Rock Creek from Massachusetts avenue to the mouth of the creek, both l)y the 
open-valley method and by conduit, including necessary surveys, borings, test 
pits, plan, and estimates of cost, four thousand dollars. 



9 IMI'RUVKMENT OP ▼ALLEY OP ROCK CEKKK. 

The work of this survey and the itn'pnration of |ilnns have hMll 

>'t\ out in tliis oflitv uiuU«r thr (lin'<-tion of tht* iis>ivtant to the 

iiitT oomniissioniT in tliurpv of the surfacf division, by the 

t i,;_'iinM'r «)f hriilp'S. hu> Ufii vrry •'xhaii-'t ivr and is fully <-ov«»nMl 

111 tin' r«'|K»rt of thr cn^^'iiHMT of hridp'^. and tin* suiiplfnirntal n*|M)rt 

thtTfon hy ('apt. K. M. Markliain, all luTi-with. 

Stiidifs Imve Ihhmi niaiK* looking to four |M»csiltli* .s4iIutions in which 
all \ariations <K*cur U'tween L stnvt and the MassachuscttM avenue 
croN^inj; of It(x*k Cn^-k. 

Thf first solution studied provides for filling Rock Crcfk valley 
from .Massjirhii'M'tls avcmir to L stn-i-t l»y tlu- construction of a c<ui- 
duit for the watei-s of luxk Creek and llu* sul»«M|uent construction 
on the fdl «»vcr lliis conduit of a lM)iilr\ard 1»'>0 fret in width. 

'Ihc ."^H-ond solution involves the sanu' treatment of the vallev, 
e\c«*ptin^ the .sul>sec|uent constniction of tlic Ixiulcvard 400 feet in 
wiilth. 

The third Milution involves the construction of the conduit from 
L street to () street with a H'.ofoot iNxdevanl suhsivjuently ovorly- 
inp it, an<l tin* ojmh tivutnient of the valley from (J street to Mai»- 
sMchusetts avenue. 

The fourth solution involves treatinfj the entire valley from Mas- 
siichu.si'tts avenue to L street, preserving it as a valley, with the 
projx'r arrangement of hi^h level and low level ri»ad-s and paths 
throughout the entire di.stance. 

lielow I. striH't all soluti«ui.s involve the s;ime tn'atment, namely, 
an elevated boulevard to the connection with Potomac I'ark. Alxjve 
Ma.ssachusett.s a\enue the same ti-ealment is propos4«l in all solutions, 
naineh, the ac«|uisition of a portion of liock ("r»fk valley for park 
piiipov.s and its pn-M-rvation in its |)res»'nt natural condition. 

The estimates of c»)st are as follows: 

For the tn-atment l)ctween L strint and Potomac Park under all 
pn.jects, $1.1(M),0(X). 

I'or the treatnu'nt l)etwe«'n L stri^'t and Massachusetts avenue un- 
der the various plans considered, as fo||(»ws: 

For the c1os<m1 treatment throuj;hout, with a Itoulevard 1«'>0 feet 
in width, $7 ;i .">(),» MM), and as apiinst this ct>st a cre<lit for 1.'J17.(MK) 
s<|uare feet of land to Im» resold, which wouM reduce the cost to an 
a;:;.Mcpite of $:),'.i(M».(HM). 

I'oi- the cloM'd treatment throu«rhout, with a l>«>ulevartl 100 feet 
in width, $T.s.'»<>.(MMi. a;raiii^t whiih a iicdil for .'»_'(i..'ll!> >Mjuare f«i«t 
of lanti to Ik? resold, which would reduce the cost to an ajmrepite 
of $7,-j:{0,0(X). 

F<jr the closeil treatment with a H.o finit hoidevard U'twcen L and 
O .streets an<l o|>en treatment lx?tween () .street and Ma.s.sachu.setts 
avenue. $5,1 OO.OOO. 

For the open tn'atment throughout, $-1,750,000. 

.Vfter this ^tiidv, I would recommend that tlu' oiMMi-vallcy method 
ho adopted, and that appropriations l>e a-ked for in the near future 
l(M)kiiii: to the ^nolual carr\ iii": out of this project. 

HrielJv outline«l this pn)ject invt)lves the following work: 

A main road to \m' con>tnicted in the vallev of the park extending; 
from Massachusetts avenue to the river. A main path extending the 
same distance, in a ;;eneral way paralled to the main r»»nd -all in the 



IMPEOVEMENT OF VALLEY OF ROCK CEEEK. e 3 

paths are provided. It is planned to develop the entire area as a city 
park, with the exception of the section between L street and Potomac 
Park, which will be treated as a more or less formal parkway and 
park connection. The section north of O street could easily be de- 
veloped into a beautiful informal city park having a maximum width 
of 600 feet and a minimum width of 400 feet. At Massachusetts 
avenue the main drive is planned to be carried through the embank- 
ment now crossing the valley at that point, a subway being provided 
with a width of 35 feet and a height of 24 feet, having the form of a 
single arch. 

In addition to the main drive in the bottom of the valley, bor- 
dering roadways are contemplated on both sides, with a view to 
having the park almost entirely surrounded by streets, so that the 
backs of buildings could not be presented to view from the park. 
Main driveway entrances to the park are provided from Massachu- 
setts avenue just south of the valley by the road now known as Water- 
side drive, and from Q street by the same road; also from Twenty- 
fifth street just north of N street and from Twenty-sixth and L 
streets, and from the formal driveway which leads from Potomac 
Park along the banks of the Potomac Eiver and Rock Creek to this 
last-mentioned entrance. Entrances from the west are provided at 
a point near Twenty-sixth and P streets and from a point near 
Twenty-sixth and Q streets and by way of the old Lovers Lane val- 
ley, and from T street as far as that street will ultimately be com- 
pleted. In addition to these carriageway entrances, pathway en- 
trances are provided at nearly every point where the bounding streets 
are intersected by lateral streets. 

Crossings are provided as follows : 

A bridge is proposed from the intersection of Twenty-eighth and 
E streets to the intersection of Massachusetts avenue and S street. A 
bridge is provided at Q street, a new bridge at P street, a bridge at 
N street, a new bridge at M street, and a new bridge at Pennsylvania 
avenue. The K street bridge, proposed to be maintained at its pres- 
ent grade, will be crossed above grade by the elevated driveway along 
the quay. The low driveway crosses the creek at four points, by 
small bridges, namely, just south of Pennsylvania avenue, just south 
of P street, also at a point near the old Lyon's Mill, and at a point 
near the pumping station south of Massachusetts avenue. 

The plan involves the condemnation of about 3,750,000 square feet 
of land, including improvements, and involves a considerable amount 
of grading in the section between M and O streets and from the point 
of the hill near the present P street bridge. 

It is believed that authority to purchase or condemn this land, 
which it is estimated will, with the improvements, cost about 
$1,920,000, should be granted by Congress at as early a date as pos- 
sible, for the double reason of making the ultimate development of 
this park connection an assured fact, and also to prevent the perpetua- 
tion of the dumping nuisance, which has already assumed such large 
proportions, and which is largely beyond the control of the District 
officials as the dumping is not on public space. The passage of time 
and the continuance of these conditions necessarily adds to the cost and 
difficulty of the construction work. It is believed that the purchase 
of this' land will be of sufficient local benefit to justify assessments 
for benefits, but it is not believed advisable to suggest any definite 



I lMI*m»VKMKN 1 (IK VAIO^KY OK UimK tKllK. 

uiiM'iiiil tlittt till' ji>-4->-in«iii - -iHMiUI iviicli, iHir :iiiv jnoj.orlijtn of the 
totjil ((M, iiiiU'xs ilic <'oiii|*li*tioii of till* Work riMiKl l»i* ^'uaraiiteeij 
witliiii a ivas(>iini)lt> |H>ri«Ml iiftcr tlif (-oiiiiiiciicfiiicnt. 

Ill ili»^iii;:, it slioiiUI Ih> >ljilf«| (liat tlii' iv|>ort «N«» rf»viT« ail esti- 
mate of llu' ro^l of lln* M-luiiir of iiiipro\ciiit'lil •<<! Iiy Mr. 
Saiiiiirl I'aiMHis, a» iirarlv as tliat rt»>i rtml«l Im* < i witli <li*f- 
initeiicte^i from tiie rather iiiiieliiiite su{;ge.stioii.s nuuie in his report. 

Jay J. Moiutow, 
l/rtyor, Corps h'ttf/iiutTM^ U. S. Arrny^ 
Lnyint'cr t'ommuitiuner^ Ovtti-ict of Columbia. 



Maikii 11, lUOK. 

Ri»s|M'i*t fully for\varilc«l to the Kii^iiuHT Coninii»>ioiii«r, District of 
Coliiiiiliia. 

The acfonijmiiyiiij; n|MHt iiinl cstiniatcs of t-ost jwrtaiuiiip to the 
iniprovniHMit of Kock Cn'ok have Ihtii carffiilly pn'|)ari'<l. nml the 
rflalivc ni"'iit> of th«* various po^sihilitirs ouliiiirtj in <h'tail"l»y the 
eiij^iniHT of hritlp's, whosi' virus arc coufurrc*! in. Tlirsi' |ios><il)ilities 
aiv four: First. Tiio closed treatment of Ivin-k Ciei'k viiley from 
MassachuM'tts avenue to L strii't and the sul>s(>4|U(>ut ronsinietion of 
a HiO-foot iHiulevanl. Serond. Tin' same, with a -l(M>-f<M)t Uiulevard. 
Third. The open treatment from Massa(hus<'tts avenue t<» () strcH't, 
and the closed treatment below that point, with a K^O-fcxit houlevard 
over the coM-ifd portion. Fourth. The open treatment from Massa- 
chns4'Us avt'iiui' to L street with a prctper arraiiircmcnt of hi^h-level 
and low-lcvt'l roatis and paths over the entire di^^tsinec. 

Ht'low \j stn-rt ami to the comu'ction with Fntnnnic Fark an ele- 
vati'il houh'vard is proposed w ith any method of tri-aliiMiil that mi^rlit 
lie adopted f<»r that portion imrth of L street. The various costs <»f 
these si'veral metluxls are ^ivcn in the a('eompanyin«; tahh* of costs. 

A park effcrt of one kind m another is umiuestionahly the essi»nce 
of any possible treatment of li<Mk ( 'rt-ek iK'twecn .MassaehuM'tts 
avenue and L street, and it is tlioujjht that the vast majority of those 
wlin in t'ithei- a puhlir or private capacity have had to <lo with or 
tlioiii;ht about the project ha\e had the park «|iit'stion imue stron^jly 
in mind than the mere elimination of tju' bairi»'r that now exists in 
KiH-k Crei'k N'aliey between the city of A\'ashiii^t«)n and ( ieor«;etown. 
It is thou<zht that the park «)uestion .should be fjiven far the greater 
wei«:ht in determining: upon any method of procedure. 

I'nder any form of closeil treatment there would lx» .secureil over 
the len</th s<» cloM-d a continuous |)hysi«al connection between the city 
of W'ashinirton ami ( leor;:el«»wn. but at «;reat <«»st. of doubtful useful 
value, and available for biiildini: purposes only in a very remote 
future. A.ssumin«; the closed treatment bu* either a j)art or for the 
entire leii^rth. a IdO-foot .so-called bonle\ard would Im' but little U'tler 
than an ordinary street. A 40U-foot iMUilevard over the cIommI por- 
tion would doubtless elTect a somewhat U'tter park condition, but 
wjiuld pr«ibablv never lie flanked by a class of private const rm-t ion 
in keeping witli such improvement, for it is doubtful if siibsiantial 
resiileiitial construction w«»uld Im- attracted to a new (ill of .'»o or t'lO 
feet, such as would exist in this «"as<', in a less |M'riod than ten to 
twenty yeai-s after the completion of .such fill. Certainly it would be 



IMPROVEMENT OP VALLEY OF ROCK GREEK. 5 

doubtful to attempt substantial building in a lesser period than ten 
years. Hence, since the filled ground, once disposed of to private 
interests, would certainly not be allowed to lie idle, it is probable 
that a cheap character of building would ensue along this boulevard, 
rather than that it would become the fine residential avenue that its 
cost and character should warrant. 

The closed-conduit method of improvement, which would doubt- 
less involve in its mere fill from eight to ten years, could therefore 
hardly meet the expectations of its supporters for a period of at least 
twenty to thirty years, if ever. 

It is the apparent expectation of those interested in the closed 
treatment that the business interests of Georgetown would be vastly 
bettered thereby, and that a good class of residential construction 
would spread westward from Washington across the present site of 
the valley and, invading Georgetown, would finally eliminate the 
squalid settlements along the west side of Rock Creek below P street. 
This is very seriously doubted. Theoretically it might seem desir- 
able to absolutely eliminate this Rock Creek barrier, but it is certain 
that in a utilitarian way Georgetown's needs can be abundantly sub- 
served by its present and a few additional bridges, namely, at N 
street, Q street, and possibly later at R-S street. 

Attention is invited to the point raised by the engineer of bridges, 
and which has been touched upon in past reports, as to the propriety 
of the District's securing by condemnation the necessary land for this 
closed method of improvement and, after said improvement, selling 
the excess over public needs to private interests. Such a procedure 
is probably of very doubtful legal color. It is stated in the accom- 
panying report that the purchase of the necessary land in open 
market would increase the cost of closed treatment by as much as a 
million dollars, which makes the matter one for serious consideration. 

The open treatment of Rock Creek (eliminating from present con- 
sideration the R-S street bridge) is less costly than the least expensive 
of the closed or partially closed treatments by nearly a million dollars 
and less costly than the most expensive of the closed treatments by 
about $3,000,000. Both of these comparisons are based upon the 
assumption that the necessary land shall be secured by condemnation 
and that the excess over public needs shall subsequently be disposed 
of to private interests. Such is, of course, the most favorable condi- 
tion of comparison. 

The open treatment would give a real and beautiful park through- 
out a great length of the city, with very easy access to many -thousands 
of people; would have the advantage of unobstructed park travel, 
free from the disagreeable interference of cross-street traffic that 
would be involved in any form of closed treatment, and would seem 
to have, in a park sense, every possible consideration in its favor. It 
would unquestionably afford the most desirable kind of connection 
between the Potomac Park and the upper Zoological and Rock Creek 
parks, which connection in the future development of the park system 
of Washington is greatly to be desired. 

With the open treatment of Rock Creek valley within the limits 
named it is not difficult to see in the not very remote future its limit- 
ing streets lined by a handsome class of residences in keeping with the 
improvement, and it is thought that there is far more probability of 
the elimination of the squalid conditions on the Georgetown bank 



(j IMPHOVKMENT OP VaU^Y OF BOCK CREEK. 

'riu*ref«)rf, on the jn"«'*""l^ "^ costs, tiim* of coiu|jlttiun. ami the 
chanictor of n*sult.s to U* aiiti(Mput4Hi, the opi>n tn»utiiiciit of Ktx'k 
(Veek vaMey is strongly rtM-oinmeinhHl. It is pmjMT to imte that if 
any iniprovenient of litH-k ('n*ek vaMey is to U- uinhTtaktMi (he same 
sliuuhl Ih- iKme piiiniiitly, for (he thimpiii^ of e:ir(h, ashrs, manure, 
etc., which lius ahfuiiy assiimed sin'h uultM»kc<I for projxirtions will 
continue aiul even inciea.se, since uvailahle dumping spaces within the 
District have already Ix-en re<luced to a very small niimlN>r. Kverv 
loud of material that is now diim|HMl upon the hanks of the cre«*k will 
have to be removed uiuler the open Irealment, and if Conjjress S4*ri- 
ously projjost's an improven>ent, such improvement, at least to the 
extj'iit of securing conlnd of the necessary land, should \>c ap{)ro- 
priated for without delay. 

It is evitlent (hat material iM'nelit would result from the propo^'<l 
improvement to a consideraMe section of the city and of ( ii*orp*t4»wn 
in proximity thereto, and the recommendation of the engineer of 
hridp's. that JO |ier cent of the total cost of the improvement should 
be assessed as InMielits apiinst pro|>erty for thr«'e Hiuares on either side 
of the completed project, is thought to Ix* reus4>nai)le and |)ro|>er. 

E. M. M.KKKIIAM, 

Captain, Cor pa of Eii<fint'fr», L' . S. Annt/y 

Asitifitant to Knyiiutr Comminnioner, D. C. 



Wasiiinuton, D. C, February 29, 190S. 

Sir: Pursmmt to your ins(ruc(ions, and as re<piireil by act of Con- 
fjess (Public. l«'i")), I herewith submit plans and j'stimates for the 
treatment of tin* valley of lunk Creek from Ma>sachus4^'tts avemie 
to the mouth of the creek (or to Potomac Kiver), both by the open- 
valley method and by conduit. 

Congress appropriated $-1,000 for making surveys, borings, test 
pits, plans, an<l «'stimates, and in prepariii;; this report, siibniitted 
herewith, practically this entire appropriation has Ix-cn exiM'iide*!. 

After a careful consideration of the s<'veral j)lans submitti'«l, I 
have to recommenil that the open-valU'y method Ix; adopteil. becuuse: 

1. It is the cheaper. 

2. It is the safer and theieforr the U'tter fiom an engineering 
standpoint. 

3. 'I'he improvement can be executed in one-half the time. 

4. It gives a In'tter improvement for (he abutters. 

5. It gives a be((er improvement for (he city considered as a whole. 
C. It gives a parkway Ix'tween Potomac ami Zoological parks, 

which is most desirable. 

7. It (dfers (he very l)<'s( parkway. Ix'cause (he highway travel will 
not intersect (he park (ravel a( grade. This is a material advantage 
not oidy to the highway travel, but also (o the park travel. 

8. It gives a park for the abutting .section of NN'a.shington which 
is without |)ropor park facilities, 

0. The ojx'ii space which will result under the ojM'n-valley method 
will Ih> a health a.s.s«'t when the abutting property l>ecomes cIos*'ly 
built u|)on. 

10. Puring the execution of the oj»en vallev plan the unsightly 
conditions will not exi.st which wouKl obtain in the making of the 



IMPROVEMENT OP VALLEY OP BOCK CREEK. 7 

to make the fill, which means that the conditions for ten years after 
the beginning of the project under the conduit plan would be even 
more unsightly than at present. 

11. It is not believed that the taking of this land for park pur- 
poses will decrease the taxation in the District of Columbia, first, 
because the open-valley method will increase the value of the abut- 
ting land to a large extent ; and, second, those who would build upon 
the reclaimed land if the conduit plan were adopted will build else- 
where if the open-valley plan were adopted. Therefore, on this 
account there will be no decrease in the revenues of the District of 
Columbia by following the plans recommended. 

The total cost of the open-valley project from Massachusetts 
avenue to Potomac Park is $5,800,000, divided as follows: Between 
Massachusetts avenue and P street, $2,800,000; between P street and 
L street, $1,900,000 ; between L street and Potomac Park, $1,100,000. 

It is believed that at this time the improvement below L street 
should not be executed, as there is no immediate need for the park 
connection between Pennsylvania avenue and Potomac Park, nor is 
there any other need for the immediate improvement of this lower 
section. Therefore, in recommending the open- valley plan I have to 
recommend only the improvement from Massachusetts avenue to L 
street at this time, at an estimated cost of $4,700,000. I would sug- 
gest that an appropriation of $2,000,000 be asked for, so that the 
necessary land may be purchased at an early date. This appropria- 
tion of $2,000,000 should include the necessary authority for the 
making of detail surveys and working drawings for the complete 
project. After the land is purchased and the contract plans made I 
would suggest an annual appropriation of $1,000,000 to complete 
the work, which would take six years, including the time necessary 
to purchase the right of way. 

It is my judgment that it would not be practicable to omit any of 
the construction items enumerated under the open-valley plan ex- 
cepting the construction of the R-S street bridge, which is esti- 
mated to cost about $450,000 plus about $50,000 for the ground, 
making a total of $500,000. While it is believed that this connec- 
tion is a most desirable one, it might temporarily be omitted, thus 
decreasing the cost of the work from $4,700,000 to $4,200,000. 

In regard to a comparison of the cost of the open- valley plan and 
the conduit plan I wish to state that I used the same general values 
for land and improvement in these two estimates. There is a grave 
question, however, whether or not under the conduit plan it would be 
possible to acquire the necessary land under condemnation proceed- 
ings, because it is the manifest intention of the District of Columbia, 
under this plan, to enter into a real estate business. Therefore, it 
appears that the only equitable and legal way to acquire this land 
is by purchase in open market. If such method of purchase is man- 
datory, the actual cost of the conduit plan would unquestionably be 
a million or two million dollars higher than estimated. 

The accompanying report considers the various improvements of 
Rock Creek in detail and includes an estimate of cost for each plan. 

It is believed that 20 per cent of the total cost of the improvement 
should be assessed as benefits against the abutting property. It is 
thought that the improvement of the valley of Rock Creek will ma- 
terially increase the real estate values for at least three squares on 
either side of the completed project. This assessment for benefits 



8 IMPROVEMENT OF VALLKV OP ROCK CRRRK. 

itoiiUl avern^ something loss than 5 iK*r cent of the assessed value 
of the i)r<»|HTty rv^iii<l«M| as l>enetite(). 
\'vi\ iv>|HMt fully, 

W. J. Doriii.AS, 
Knginetr of Bridges, ji,Jr].t ,,/ r.J.,„.L:.,. 
Capt K. M. M\RKii.\M, 

AHxitttant' Hmjineer Cnmminttionrr. 

(Through C. B. Hunt, Kngiiiwr of Highways.) 
Batimalta fur Iht' Unprovrmrnt of Rot'k Crerk Vallry, opeit-mlh y plan, 

UANaArilfRBTTH ArCMUS TO t IRVBBT. 

2,4r0.7tn jhiuaif i.-.i liind (Inclmlinf: liuprnvpnipntM) ?1.nfll,8Se 

4!»-_'.«>u;> nililr yunlH u'nulinj;. al ;to ••••Ills I 17. lUJU 

an») llii«'ar f«'«-t tiiiitu'l ( .MiiH«ji.|iiiM«'tt» av«Miu«>). at $.'150 lor., tKM) 

7,r.OO fi|iiiirt* (>•*•{ l>rltli;»» ( MuiilruHe). nt p\.Ui 4H. TW 

8.7r<o >i<|iiurf ri>i*t lirhlui* i|>»»>l>')>K KliitluiM, tit $1 .'ITi. <NM) 

l»,U«JO wjiiart' fiN't |irl«l«f (l.yoiiHM inill). at $."> -iri.tiUO 

nu,<MMt s<|iiiiri> U-i't liritlKt' (U aiul S Hlrt-t'tx) at $1)..- ir>0.iHM) 

21.uf»«; »<.|imrf ffft lirlMk'f <g Htn-et) at $s.r»0 17V.»7« 

IKV.iir. MjiiHii' r.ft l)ild;,'«« (I* Ktift't). at ?s..V) 177. 77S 

Itfiiii)\ iiiK 1' StHH't HrlilKv and tciii|Mirar3' bridge S. UX) 

•1,7'.»J liiH'ar f»M-t n'liiliilnn Wiills ::.■;!», tHiO 

2.1<«t lliu-ar Ufl |tarii|>«>t wnlls, at $«;.75 H. 17r> 

l.OiMi liii.-ar fift railing', at $,'. r..i«rf) 

2.40<» llru'ar fi^'t rfiii.'tery wallH, at $7 IC. sOJ) 

17.1»M» liiHMir U-i't loads bli. 7r.O 

IS.-MU lliu-ar U-i-t palliK, at r»0 cents !». 1<«) 

as H«rfs ..f •iiltlviilinii. at *1.-J«Ni 4r..r.iio 

C.OOO lliH-ar fiH't Mii.li water |.li»«', with lateraK at iJHTiO !». UW 

a.ttJy llii»>ar f«*t. west side Itink Cn-ek intercepting Bewer, at |15 — r.i». into 

ft.UUO Ulnar f.-«-t 11' iiK-h H4'wer. at $•_' _ 10, inni 

'M catt h l.asiiis. with f..iiiie«tl<>ns. at $100 H..HM) 

l.'iO traps, Avilli 1 iitiilnns, at $li» .__ T.. 20«J 

'Si*) uraves to !•«• reimtviil - W), tlOO 

Kesturing l.yons'H lulll - 8,600 

Total cost Ma88acliiiKett8 avenue to I* street _ 2. SIO, SlTi 

FROM P TO L STRKET. 

1.201,827 Bqnare feet land (Incliidlnir iniproveineiitB) $S00.SS1 

aas.OOU cubic yanls cradliig, nt .*IU ceiits 1»2, -lUO 

J»,:t:i:i s«iiiare fe«'t t.rlilk'c 1 1* stnet low level), at $3.75 .'{ri.mio 

20.7tN» S4piare fe«'t bridge (N sireit », at $S HJ,, laM 

l»;,j»ii( S4pi:irc f«-«t l.ridK'e ( -M stre«-t). at js _._ l.Ti. r.oo 

lii.'js.'i sipiare f«i-l bridge ( I'ciinsylvaiiia nvenue), at $■**--- l.'il. "J-SO 

l.inm s«|ii:ire f.-et bridue ( C'lie>gi|N>ake aud Ubio Canal), at $ri.7w . 40, imki 

UeiiinviiiK M Strert Itrldtre-- - - S.<iOO 

IteinoviiiK I'eiiiiKylvania .\vemie HrldKf— — — — — tJ. mm 

2.75»1» linear fwt retaining walls, . 'JVk'Xa) 

1,'joo linear t>-*-t parajM-t walls, nt $<1.76 >*. 1<«» 

D.Pmi llnrtir feel railliiir. at $5 2.%. uMl 

f).«>is liii.ar fei't roads . . - .'"•.'..ulU 

l.^.tnio lliii-ar fis-t paths, at r>o i-enlH 7. WIO 

O.iHio linear fe<-t 4 Imh water pl|M> (with Inteniln). at f1.no 1). <nio 

S.!M«» lln«'ar f««««t liitererptlns: wwer (went Ride Il«M'k Creek), nt $ir«-- r»M. .M«) 

7.*_'.'^ lln«nir f«««*t 12lniU wwer, at $2 14. noo 

1& t-ntch basins, with eonne<-tlons. nt $100 . ..... l.TiOO 

in trajiH. with ••oiiniH-tlniis. at $lo 1 <»*I0 

JJ acres of cultivation, nt fl.-.nio.. . 14.4«M» 



Total cost MnsHnchuiM'tts avenne to I* utre. t I. 7.'W. 808 



• IMPROVEMENT OF VALLEY OF ROCK CREEK. 9 

Estimates for the improvement of Rock Creek Valley, semiconduit plan. 

MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE TO P STREET. 

2,490,733 square feet of land (including improvements) $1,061,386 

492,000 cubic yards of grading, at 30 cents 147, 600 

300 linear feet of tunnel (Massachusetts avenue), at $350 105,000 

7,500 square feet of bridge (Montrose), at $6.50 4S, 750 

8,750 square feet of bridge (pumping station), at $4 35, 000 

9,000 square feet of bridge (Lyons mill), at $5 • 45,000 

50,000 square feet of bridge (R and S street), at $9 450, 000 

21,056 square feet of bridge (Q street), at $8.50 178,976 

20,915 square feet of bridge (P street), at $8.50 177, 778 

Removing P street bridge and temporary bridge 8, 000 

4,792 linear feet retaining walls 239, 600 

2,100 linear feet parapet walls, at $6.75 14, 175 

1,000 linear feet railing, at $5 5, 000 

2,400 linear feet cemetery wall, at $7 16, 800 

17,989 linear feet roads 82, 750 

18,200 linear feet paths, at 50 cents 9, 100 

38 acres of cultivation, at $1,200 45,600 

6,000 linear feet 4-inch water pipe, with laterals, at $1.50 9, 000 

3,933 linear feet west side Rock Creek intercepting sewer, at $15 59, 000 

5,000 linear feet 12-inch scAver, at $2 10, 000 

33 catch basins, with connections, at $100 3, 300 

130 traps, with connections, at $40 5, 200 

250 graves to remove, at $200 50,000 

Restoring Lyons mill 3,500 

Total cost, Massachusetts avenue to P street : 2, 810, 515 

Note. — 10 per cent for engineering and contingencies has been added to con- 
struction items. 

FROM P TO L STREET. 

905,196 square feet land (including improvements) $581,623 

526,000 cubic yards grading, at 60 cents 315, 600 

2,000 linear feet conduit, at $500 1, 000, 000 

Removing M Street Bridge 8, 000 

Removing Pennsylvania Avenue Bridge ! 6,000 

1,484 linear feet retaining walls 115, 720 

1,200 linear feet parapet walls, at $6.75 8, 100 

3,200 linear feet railing, at $5 16, 000 

10,300 linear feet roads 125,500 

5,000 linear feet paths, at 50 cents 2, 500 

9 acres of cultivation, at $1,200 10, 800 

6,000 linear feet 4-inch water pipe, with laterals, at $1.50 9, 000 

2,733 linear feet west side Rock Creek intercepting sewer, at $15 41, 000 

1,425 linear feet sewer, at $2 2, 850 

33 catch basins, with connections, at $100 3, 300 

5 traps, with connections, at $40 200 

1,500 linear feet sewer extensions 25,650 

Total cost, P to L street 2, 271, 843 

2,810,515 

Total cost, Massachusetts avenue to L street 5, 082, 358 

Note. — Engineering and contingencies included in total. 

Estimates for the improvement of Bock Creek Valley, full conduit plan No. 1. 

MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE TO L STREET. 

3,057,315 square feet of land (including improvements) $1,625,480 

3,776,000 cubic yards grading, at 60 cents 2, 265, 600 

5,650 linear feet conduit, at $400, $450, and $500 2, 489, 000 

250 graves to be removed 50, 000 

Changing aqueduct pumping station (Major Cosby) 66,000 



10 IMPROVEMENT OP VALUEY OF ROCK CREEK. 

Reoiovlng bridge (P Ktrtft) $8,000 

lU'UioviiiK brhlue (M str.ft) __., S, 000 

Ut'iiioviii^' l»ti(lj;e ( INMiiisylvaiiia avenue) «>, 000 

l,ls<» linear fft-t rt'talnliiK walls iLtt, 500 

20.01*0 linear ftn-t roads L'sj. 700 

8J acres of eultlvuflon, at $l,li00 10.000 

7,S'i;{ linear feet west side lUnk Creek intercepting Bewur 117,500 

l.S(K( linear feet IL* inch sewer, at $2 ao. 000 

GO latrh basins with conniH-tlona, at $1)0 5.400 

3,250 linear fivt sewer extensions 53, (XK) 

7, 152, 180 

30 i)er cent on investment for land and lmi)rovenient8 '198,900 

Total gross cost 7,351.080 

1,247.000 square feet of land to be sold 1, 450, 000 

Total net cost 5,901,080 

Note. — Kn^rineerlng and contingencies Included in total. 

Estimates for the improvement of Rock Creek Valley, full conduit plan No. 2. 

MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE TO L STREET. 

3,343.020 square feet of land (including improveiuents) $1,758,926 

3.77tJ,CKX) cubic yards grading, at 60 cents 2,265,600 

0.(R»0 linear feet conduit, at $450 and $500 2,800.000 

250 graves to be removed 50,000 

Changing aqueduct pimii)ing station (Major Cosby) (K>. 000 

Removing bridge (P street) 8,000 

Removing bridge (M street) 8,000 

Removing bridge (Pennsylvania avenue) 6,000 

1,180 linear feet retaining walls 129,500 

23,220 liiiear feet roads 413.950 

26 acres of cultivation, at $1.200 31.200 

7,8,'i.'{ linear feet west side Rock Creek intercepting sewer, at $15 117, 500 

l,8ix» linear feet 12-inch sewer, at $2 36,000 

60 catch basins, with connections, at $90 5,400 

3,250 linear feet sewer extensions 53, 000 

7, 749, 076 

30 i)er cent on investment for land and improvements 97, 8(K) 

Total gross cost 7,846,936 

526,349 square feet of land to be sold 620, (XK) 

Total net cost 7,226,936 

Note. — Engineering and contingencies included in total. 

Estimates for the improvement of Rock Creek Valley, all plans (except 

Parsons's). 

L STREET TO POTOMAC PARK. 

377,009 square feet of land (including improvements) $409,472 

86.(HJ(J cubic yards grading, at 30 cents 25. 800 

3.4<>0 linear feet viaduct, at $100 340,000 

1,9<H) linear feet sea wall, at $100 190.000 

2,740 linear feet jjaving (streets and area Inside sea wall) 106,300 

l.WX) linear feet 12-inch sewer, at $2 2,000 

4 catch basins with connections, at $100 400 

Total cost 1, 073. 972 

Note. — Elngiueering and contingencies Included in total. 



IMPKOVEMENT OP VALLEY OF ROCK CEEEK. 11 

Estimates for the improvement of Rock Creek Valley, Parsons's plans. 

MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE TO POTOMAC PARK. 
[Including conduit and filling between L and N streets.] » 

10,389,274 square feet of land and improvements $14, 859, 912 

2,000 linear feet conduit 1 1, 000,000 

240 acres of cultivation 288, 000 

1,026,000 cubic yards grading, at 30 and 60 cents 465, 600 

42,700 linear feet roads and paths 256, ISO 

7,833 linear feet west side Rock Creek intercepting sewer 117, 500 

3,250 linear feet sewer extensions 53, 000 

15,000 linear feet 12-inch sev/er, at $2 30, 000 

5,500 linear feet retaining walls 255,320 

Total cost I » 17, 325, 512 

Note. — Engineering and contingencies included in total. 

Estimated cost of project for Rock Creek improvement from Massachusetts 
avenue to Zoological Park. 

42.7 acres of land, at $10,890, or about 25 cents per foot $465, 000 

400,000 cubic yards of grading, at 40 cents 160, 000 

16,850 linear feet roads 87,100 

16,000 linear feet paths 4, 800 

Cathedral avenue culvert 4, 000 

3,200 linear feet retaining walls 75,000 

10 acres of cultivation, at $1,200 12, 000 

7,500 square feet bridge (low level), .at $5.33 40. 000 

5,500 linear feet fence, at $5 27, 500 

4,000 linear feet parapet walls, at $6.75 27, 000 

10,000 linear feet 4-inch water pipe, with laterals, at $1.50 15, 000 

9,00 linear feet 12-inch sewer, at $2 18, 000 

Total cost 935, 400 

Note. — Engineering and contingencies included in total. 

Estimated cost for making changes at Rock Creek shaft pumping station of the 

Washington Aqueduct. 

[By. Maj. Spencer Cosby.] 

For raising watchman's house $3, 500 

For new pumping station building. Including foundation for walls 10, 000 

For foundation for engines, compressors and boilers 3, 000 

For extension of working shaft, construction of shaft to valve vault, 

etc. 3, 500 

For installation of new machinery 40, 000 

60,000 
Contingencies, 10 per cent 6, 000 

Total 66, 000 

Estimated total cost of each plan for the improvement of Rock Creek Valley. 

Open-valley plan (Massachusetts avenue to L street) $4, 739, 806 

Semiconduit plan (Massachusetts avenue to L street) 5,082,358 

Full conduit plan No. 1 (Massachusetts avenue to L street) 5,901,080 

Full conduit plan No. 2 (Massachusetts avenue to L street) 7, 226, 936 

L street to Potomac Park 1, 073, 972 

Parsons (Massachusetts avenue to L street and Potomac Park to 

N street) 17, 325, 512 

Zoological Park to Massachusetts avenue 935, 400 

"$1,456,000 has been added to this estimate, for improvements not contem- 
plated by Mr. Parsons. 



12 IMPROVEMENT OF VALLEY OF ROCK CREEK. 

Kr.i'tiKT Upon thk Imi'hovemknt ok Kuck Ckkkk. 

I\(M'k Civi'k (liaiiis a liasiii liaviii"; an area of 77 .s<|uaio miles. 
Till' k'ii<;th of this basin is about 2'2 miles, and the avi-ra^e h)ngi- 
tutlinal slope per mile is 10 feet, and the avera«^e transvrrse slope 
I)er mile is -Jl'A) feet. About N per cent of the ai'ea di-ained is a«j:i-i- 
cullural and about I'J i)er rent is woodland. The balance of the 
land is urban or suburban, and for the puiposes of this report it 
may be assumed as urban, because in twenty-live or thirty years it 
will so develop. The freshet discharge between Q street and the 
river is slow. Between Q street and the District line, rapid, and the 
balance, extending; for a distance of I'.l miles, haviiiir an area of aljout 
CO .square miles, may be called medium. 

The hit>fhest recorded discharge, taken at the mouth of the creek, 
was 1U,()()() cubic feet per .sei'ond. 'J'he discharge was un(|uesti<jnably 
^M'eat(>r in issl), l)ut as- no irauufinws were talcen at that time it is 
impossible to state how nnich <ireater. 

1 have to quote as follows from the En<;ineer (^ommi.ssioners' re- 
port of ls9:]: "From a consideration of the features of the ques- 
tion which bear upon the ])ossible extreme dischar<;e to be expected 
from the basin I am led to place this at from 20.000 to 25,0000 cubic 
feet per second. I do not believe that so <ireat a dischar«(e can be 
anticij)ated from the watersiied in its j)resent condition or in the 
future, unless excei)tional circumstances prevail, but owinj; to the 
vast interests involved ivmole coiiliiiLfencies must be ]:)rovided for.'' 

In the Apj)en{lixes (i and II of the report of 1S1)3 there are a 
number of calculations showin*i^ the probable maximum run-ofl' for 
Kock Creek valley. The minimum estimated amount of run-olf in 
acct)rdance with the O'C'onnell fornnda is 4,707 cubic feet per sec- 
ond, whereas by a combination of the Jiurkli-Zei^ler formula, Mc- 
Maths foruuda. and the curve of the board of sanitaiy en<j:ineers on 
the sewera<re of the District of Columbia, we find a uiaxinnim dis- 
charge of 2.">,(>()G cubic feet per .second. A careful study of the re- 
sults of the a|)|)licMtion of the several formulas ^iven in Api)endixes 
G and II will determine the run-olT at probably between 15,000 and 
20,000 cubic feet per second. 

When the Massachusetts avenue culvert was desipned in 1000 a 
similar calculation was made by the engineer of bridges on the basis 
of a U-inch rainfall over the entire area, \niiformly distriijuted in 
twenty-four hours. On this basis, using the Hurkli-Zeigler formula, 
the maximum discharge was estimated at 20,000 cubic feet per 
second. 

Two methods of improxing the valley of IJock Creek between 
Massachusetts avenue and the river have been considered in the 
past. First, the method was to improve the valley by carrying the 
water in a conduit, and after the construction of the conduit the 
valley was to be filled to the grade of the adjacent streets. After 
the necessary connecting streets were laid out the balance of the 
land was to be sold for building ])urposes. The second method was 
for the development of the valley as a \y,\rk or jiai'kw'ay of a more 
or less formal type, which i)arkway was intended to connect I*olomac 
Park with the Zoological Park. In addition to this, a park was to 
be atforded for the abutting sections of the city and the liniiting 
streets were to be so laid out as to develop the adjacent land in the 



IMPEOVEMENT OF VALLEY OP ROCK CREEK. 13 

east and west streets are carried over the creek upon bridges and the 
north and south streets are noncontinuous, travel along these streets 
being effected by slight detour. 

Under the act of Congress authorizing the making of these plans 
we are only authorized to make plans between Massachusetts avenue 
and the river. However, as the treatment for the portion of Rock 
Creek below Massachusetts avenue can not be properly executed 
without considering the treatment above Massachusetts avenue and 
extending as far as the Zoological Park, I have also submitted for 
your consideration a sketch showing the proposed treatment of 
Rock Creek valley from Massachusetts avenue to the Zoological Park. 
The sketch indicates a treatment similar to that recommended in this 
report as the proper one above Massachusetts avenue. Eventually 
similar conditions will exist above Massachusetts avenue to those now 
existing below it. 

HISTORY or THE CONDUIT PROJECT. 

In 1893 Capt. William T. Rossell, then Engineer Commissioner of 
the District of Columbia (assisted by the late Capt. J. L. Lusk and 
Capt. G. J. Fiebeger and Mr. D. E. McComb, superintendent of sew- 
ers) , prepared plans and estimates for converting Rock Creek valley, 
below the north line of Massachusetts avenue, into a sewer, filling in 
the valley between the banks This report was made pursuant to a 
resolution of the United States Senate dated July 22, 1892. The fol- 
lowing excerpts (somewhat curtailed) are taken from this report, 
which may be found in the Engineer Commissioner's report of 1893, 
and which report will be referred to hereinafter as the report of 1893. 

" Rock Creek, however, must always remain, a drainage line for the 
large area from which it now carries the -water, and no plans of sew- 
age disposal would be prepared looking to its abandonment. The 
creek is not in any sense a menace to health if it merely carries storm 
water uncontaminated with sewage, whether it remains an open con- 
duit or is arched over." 

" The next question which arose was the cross section necessary to 
carry off, without injury, the largest volume of water that may be 
expected from the area drained. A careful study of the problem* has 
been made, and it is believed that a solution has been found sufficiently 
accurate for a preliminary estimate. It will require an arch with a 
span of 50 feet and a height from the bottom to crown of the arch of 
32.5 feet, giving an area of cross section equal to 1,250.5 square feet. 
This cross section, with a slope of 1 to 1,000, may be expected to carry 
off about 18,000 cubic feet per second, and under a head of 6^ feet, 
25,000 cubic feet. It is proper to say, however, that further e^xami- 
nation should be made before the work is done." Examination was 
made in 1900, and the calculations made in the report of 1893 were 
verified. 

"After the construction of this sewer there remains the filling in 
between the banks, making useful land now so situated as to 'be com- 
paratively useless and obliterating the creek as a barrier between 
"Washington and Georgetown," 

"Again, the rights of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Company in 
the lower part of the creek must be bought." Captain Rossell, in 
making this statement, was governed by the fact that under his plans 



14 IMPROVEMENT OF VALIJEY OF ROCK CREEK. 

the closed treatment was to \)o carried to the river, wliieh treatment 
\vo»d(l, of course, cut otF the (eniiimis of the ('he>apeake and Ohio 
Canal, which is in the lower portion of Kock Creek. 

In order that the next exceri)ts may Ix; nndersl<K«l, I wish to 
state that in the report of 1S'.>;$ it was contemplated to purchase 
about l.L'OO.OOO feet of land hefore l>ei;innin;r the construction of 
the conduit. After the construction work and after the valley had 
heen tilled to fjfrade a certain portion of the land purchased was to 
ho retained for streets ami the halam-e was to Ix' sold; tiierefon' Cap- 
tain Kossi'U had not oidy to consider the estimated cost of huyin*; the 
land, hut aI<o what he would receive for the portions of the reclaimecl 
land to he sold. He assumed that the sale of land would not he made 
until after the till had settled and formed a suitable foundation for 
the construction of a fjood class of houses. 

The report of ISJKi states: " What will be the condemned value of 
any piece of land it is impossible to say, and I only attempt to make 
a very rou<rh ajiproximation. To say what will be the selling value of 
the land aftei- the imjM-ovement is also a matter of speculation, but 
I believe above Pennsylvania avenue that double the condemnation 
value is conservative." 

'' Thouirh not required by the resohition, T have piven the cost of 
this work between the diiTerent limits, so that full information on the 
subject mi«;ht be had. It will be noticed that the larfre.st item in each 
estimate is the condemnation value of the land; it is also the most 
uncertain one. No allowance has been made for interest on sums ex- 
pended fi'om the time of each expenditure to the time when the re- 
claimed land will be sold. This time will be long and will add 
materially to the cost." 

" In closinir I will only add a few words as to the advantages to 
the District of this work. As a means of sewage disposal it would 
be wrong in principle and enormously expensive. From a sanitary 
standpoint T can see no necessity for covering the creek at all if the 
sewage is kept out of it." 

''This improvement, reclaiming a large body of land between 
AVashiiigton and Georgetown and making them one, will increase 
the i-e\enues of the District of Columbia by the increased taxation 
and will add to the beauty of the city." 

'' The proposition to arch over the lower part of Rock Creek means 
tliat a dam of miusual thickness, with its top at the elevation of 
about 70 feet, is to be thrown across the valley of the creek, from 
its mouth to its intersection with Massachusetts avenue extended, 
thus converting the valley above the dam, to the height of the con- 
tojir of 70 feet, into reservior. This reservior must be prevented 
from filling up with water to any marked extent by an outlet hav- 
inrr snllicient capacity to provide a free discharge for the stream 
durinir the heaviest and most jnolonged rainfall that may be ex- 
pected to occur throughout llie basin. With the project carried to 
completion, the gap between A\'ashington and (ieorgetown will cease 
to exist, and a denselv populated area will be subject to flooding 
and possible disaster if the dam be over(o|)ped. The outlet once 
built, its discharging capacity will become practically a fixed (quan- 
tity, while the ability of the basin to produce higher and higher 
floods at the head of the outlet will constantly increase as its sur- 
f:\ro nnssos fioiii ;i rural toward an urban character. 



IMPROVEMENT OF VALLEY OF ROCK CREEK. 15 

"A further danger which must not be overlooked lies in the fact 
that a great freshet in Kock Creek may be expected to bring down 
large trees, portions of iron and wooden bridges, and other debris 
in large quantity. Unless the covered channel be made of ample 
dimensions its mouth would be subject to stoppage by drift of the 
kind described. Whether a flood in the eity would follow or not 
would depend on the period required to fill the reservoir formed by 
the embankment over the covered channel, and the possibility, which 
is by no means apparent, of clearing away the drift within a rea- 
sonable time. The contents of the reservoir are estimated at 177,- 
000,000 cubic feet. With water entering at the rate of 20,000 cubic 
feet per second, and none leaving it, the reservoir would be filled 
in about two hours and a half." (On account of the fact that the 
dam at Massachusetts avenue is considerably higher than was con- 
templated by Captain liossell, it is estimated that this reservoir 
would require about four hours to fill under the assumptions made 
in his report.) 

It may be stated that this report of 1893 is adverse to the using 
of Rock Creek for sewage purposes excepting for storm water. 
Since this report was made the construction of a separate system of 
sewers has been definitely settled, and therefore Rock Creek will 
never carry any sewage excepting during a short period between 
this Avriting and the completion of the separate system of sewers. 

In 1902 the Massachusetts avenue culvert or bridge was built of 
the size recommended in the report of 1893. Since the completion 
of the Massachusetts avenue culvert and fill the greatest freshet has 
only filled the conduit or culvert to about one-third its full capacity. 
It is thought that the feasibility of this type of construction has been 
amply demonstrated by this fact. The only force of nature which 
might so seriously damage this culvert as to cause the filling up of 
the valley would be an earthquake which would separate the conduit 
at some point so as to dam off the entire flow. It is impossible to 
forecast what the damage would be should the conduit meet with 
such a disaster. 

It is not thought that a cyclone accompanied by a heavy downpour 
of rain would do serious damage, although the portion of the valley 
above Massachusetts avenue might be flooded to a level 5 or 10 feet 
above the existing banks of the creek. It is thought that the amount 
of debris which would come down the creek would be sufficient only 
to retard the flow, but would not stop it. 

PARK COMMISSION REPORT. 

In 1906 the Park Commission, consisting of Mr. Daniel H. Burn- 
ham, Mr. Charles F. McKim, Mr. Augustus Saint Gaudens, and Mr. 
Frederick Law Olmstead, jr., presented a report to the Senate Com- 
mittee of the District of Columbia upon the improvement of the park 
system of the District of Columbia, which Commission considered 
the improvement of Rock Creek valley both under an open-valley 
treatment and a conduit treatment. This Commission advocates the 
open-valley treatment, 2;iving considerable collateral data and reasons 
for their views pertaining to the development of this section of the 
District of Columbia. I have to quote as follows from their report : 



16 IMPROVEMENT OF VALLEY OF ROOK CHKHK. 

"Two i-adically (lilFcicnt pliuis liii\t' hccii siij;^i's(«'tl as altciiiatives 
in tlio treatiiu'iit of KocU Crtvlc and its acconipanyiiiir park wav bo- 
twi'cn PcnnsyKania a\oiMie and Massachiis^'tts avt-niic. 

" 'I'lie Massacliiist'tts avenue crossin*; over KocU C'i'eek lias heen 
designed and is under construetion as a culveft and iill u|)on the as- 
sumption tluit the lirst phm will be carried out, but althou«rh this fill 
will interfere with the perfeet executi«)n of the open valley i)lan, we 
feel eoiiipelled to reeonunend the flelinite adoption of the latter on 
p^roinids of economy, convenience, and beauty. We may point out, 
howi'ver, tiiat tiie park di-i\es and paths inidcr the open-\ alley plan 
would be separated by ^niule from conllict with the commercial trafHc 
of a busy district. The sitjhts of the iidand rejjrion between l*ennsyl- 
vania avenue and Q street are for the most part merely shabby, 
sordid, and disa<;rceal)le. It is, therefore, a very fortunate, opi)or- 
tunity that permits the seclusion of the park way in a valley "the im- 
mediate sides of which can be controlh'd and can be made to limit 
the ^iew to a self-containe<l landsca|H'. which may be beautiful even 
thou<2:h restricted. In so far as it was practicable, without essential 
injury to the park way, we have followed lines already fixed for 
streets on the hi<j:hway plans and elsewhere ha\e provided for new 
boundary sti-eets." 

"The ar<2:ument for and ajrainst each of these plans (open valley 
and conduit) may be divided into considei'ation of expense and i^m- 
sideration of direct benefit to the community." The Park Ccmu- 
mission, after ^oin^ into the li<i:ures very carefully (sec Ai)i)endix 
D), state as follows: 

" It is evident after- all due allowance is made for the imperfect 
data ui)on which com])arisoii is based, that the first plan (the conduit 
plan) would, under any circumstances, be far moie costly than the 
second plan with its oj)en valley. 

" The j)arkway provided undei' either plan would be in itself a«rree- 
able and di<rnified. Under the first or culvert plan thei-e would be 
a broad, central roadway, flanked by four rows of trees in turf park- 
injjs, with promenades. Outside of these [)arkin<i:s would be wide 
streets foi- house froiita<ie anrl for tralHc. with the usual sidewalks 
and nari'ow i)arkin£rs, and the <reneral efl'ect. I'ci^ardless of the (|uality 
of the abuttinir pi'ivate j)roperty, would be similai" to that of many 
of the notable boulevards of l*]uropean ca|iitals. P>ut it is impossible 
to so disrefrard the appeai'ance of the surroundin*; and inclosing 
buildings, for in l)oulevar(ls of this formal urban type it is the build- 
ings (hat fix the character, while the trees are merely a decorative 
adjunct. 

"The j)ortion of Georgetown and Washington throiigh which (he 
line passes is now given over partly t() manufactuiiiig and jiartly 
to a [)oor class of residences. It is yci'v fai* from agri'cable in appear- 
ance, and it is hardly to be expected that it will become a first-class 
part of the city, because natiiial growth exerts no j^icssure in that 
direction. The tide of development can often be deflected by park 
and street improvements, but it can very seldom be reversed. A 
pai'kway, theiefore, built according to the first plan would probably 
be lined by factories, tenement houses, and the like, on a level witli 
the drive and sejja rated from it only by the width of a street and 
four rows of tree trunks. 

*• TTnrlnr tVip QPfnnrl nr r^rl^>T^.\•'^^]nv nlnn <li0 lu-niirl ni-iin rlrivo tin- 



IMPEOVEMENT OF VALLEY OP ROCK CREEK. 17 

what as does the new drive through Rock Creek Park. The present 
A'^alley, which has been narrowed by the constant dumping of earth 
over its edge, would be widened by excavation at the restricted points 
to a semblance of its original form and clothed with turf and trees. 
Along these border roads the same factories, tenements, and the like, 
would doubtless be built as in the other case, but with tke traffic 
roadways from 30 to 40 feet above the park drive such occupation 
would not intrude itself forcibly upon the attention, even if it were 
not entirely cut off from view. For the driver of a spirited horse, 
for the wheelman, even for one strolling afoot along the parkway, 
the necessity for crossing a busy thoroughfare at every block, to- 
gether with several electric car lines, would seriously mar the ease 
and comfort of a pleasure excursion, while the obstruction to business 
traffic by grade crossings of a thronged parkway is not to be ignored. 
But there are still other points to be taken into consideration, 
of which the most important is perhaps that the culvert plan would 
add a considerable area to the building land of the city, from 
which in time a large income would be derived in taxes. The same 
argument may be raised against the withdrawal of any park land 
from commercial occupancy, and it is merely a question whether 
in this case the value of the park-like borders to the drive and 
its partial seclusion from disagreeable surroundings would be worth 
the loss in taxes. In our opinion it would be, especially when it is 
considered that the potential purchasers of this land are not likely 
to be lost to the District as taxpayers, but will simply purchase 
other private land, increasing its value by improvements and pay- 
ing the same taxes upon it. This raises the question, too, whether it 
is a wise policy and in accordance with our principles of govern- 
ment for the public authorities to go into the real estate business 
in competition with the citizens. If the Government is not to go 
heavily into real estate speculation in competition with the land- 
owners of the District, the cost of the culvert project becomes so 
enormous as to be utterly out of the question. 

EXISTING CONDITIONS WITH REFERENCE TO THE TWO PROPOSED TREAT- 
MENTS. 

Beginning at the north end of the project we have Massachusetts 
avenue culvert crossing the valley at an elevation of about 85 feet 
above the water level. This avenue between the valley banks has a 
width of 80 feet, including the sidewalks. At the grade of the creek 
the fill is pierced by a culvert 50 feet wide and 220 feet long. On 
the right bank of the creek, beginning at Masachusetts avenue and 
extending down the creek to Lovers Lane branch, a distance of 700 
feet, is a beautiful hill rising to an elevation of 165 feet above the 
creek. This hill is partly covered with grass, shrubs, and large trees. 
The Lovers Lane valley is a beautiful woodland offering one of the 
most picturesque spots within our reach. The portion of this valley 
included between Rock Creek and Lovers Lane must be given careful 
consideration, whatever type of treatment is finally decided upon. 
If the open-valley treatment of Rock Creek is selected, then this sec- 
tion of the Lovers Lane valley must become part of that park. If 
the Rock Creek valley is to be filled, then this portion of the Lovers 
S. Doc. 458, 60-1 2* - 



IS IMPROVEMENT OF VALLEY OF ROCK CREEK. 

LiUU' valley luiisl also he lilU'd at lliat tiiiR-. Tin- ri;:lit hank of this 
poitioii of tho IjOvi'ix Liine vullov, oxti'mlin^ to U stiirt, is known as 
tlu' Moiitr<»ss j)i-o|H'ity aiul has alivady hccii oonsidcivd as a de- 
sirahlt' park l»y tlu' public and bv tho Coinniissiont'is. The rip:ht 
hank of Kock ('ivek, extending from Lovers Lane valley to Q street, 
is covered l»y Oak Hill ("enu'tery and Mount Zion Cemetery. The 
total frontaLri^" of these two eenieleries on Kock Creek is l.SOO feet. 
It will he well at this point of the report to call your attention to 
the fact that these two cemeteries form a formidahh^ harrier, <rroater, 
as a nnitter of fact, than an)' physical harrier that separates the city 
of Washin<rton from (ieor}2:etown. The left hank of Rock Creek, 
be'j;innino: at Massachusetts avenue, is practically unimproved as far 
as Q street, with the exception that between Decautur place and L 
street, front in<j: on Massachusetts avenue, there are 12 expensive 
houses. The upper portion of the bank at the level of ^Massachusetts 
avenue consists of a <rradually increasinj; fdl of excellent material, 
excepting; in the lower portion, from Q street to P street, where the 
fill has already been carried out as far as the water of Ivock Creek. 
In general, this upper valley presents an attractive landscape with 
meadows and wooded areas. 

In the upper portion of the valley, near the Massachusetts avenue 
fill, is located the Kock Creek shaft pumpino; station of the Washing- 
ton Aqueduct. This plant must be given careful consideration what- 
ever plan is decided upon. 

lieoiiinin*; at a point on Massachusetts avenue near Decatui- Place 
and extending to L street we have the 12 expensive houses mentioned 
above. The backs of these houses are toward the Eock Creek valley, 
but the houses are of an excellent type, and therefore the back view 
will not be particularly unattractive. 

Lyons mill, a historic landmark of rustic beauty, with its fine syca- 
mores, is a treasure in the memory of many of the citizens of Wash- 
ington who. in their youth, have enjoyed the generous hospitality of 
the Lyons family, and should not be removed, at least under the open 
treatment. 

At P street on the right bank is located the expensive car barn of 
the Washington Railway and Electric Comjiany. This large plant, 
consisting of a series of buildings, is a barrier to the successfid de- 
velopment of Rock Creek under either plan. Forttuiately, however, 
it appears that the railroad company may find it advantageous to 
abandon this site for one of less monetary value and better situated 
for the uses of the company. The lay-out of the streets in this sec- 
tion should be such as to best develop this site for residential purposes, 
so as to make it advantageous to the company to abandon this site. 
However, the plans shoidd be made so elastic that, if the company 
docs not abandon this plant, the property in the immediate vicinity 
may be developed on the general approved lines without the necessity 
of purchasing this plant at an unreasonable figure. 

Under the conduit plan for the extension of Q street it will be 
necessary to take all of the small houses in square 1287, although 
there will be a small park area left after these houses are taken. 
Under the park plan for the extension of Q street it will be necessary 
to take those houses on the north side of Q street and east of Mill 
street in square 1287. At present we have no continuous streets be- 
tween Massachusetts avenue and P street, and in this section there 



IMPKOVEMENT OF VALLEY OP ROCK CEEEK. 19 

is only one street (Mill street) connecting the creek level with the 
high level streets. Under both plans it will be necessary to remove 
the large brick house which lies in Q street at its intersection with 
Twenty-seventh street extended. 

Continuing down the creek on the right bank, we first encounter a 
row of small houses at the old grade of P street, or old Paper Mill 
road, whose eventual demolition can not be prevented under either 
of the proposed plans. Higher up on the right bank, south of P street 
and extending to North street (all of square 1263), we find a group 
of 38 small houses, which, under the park plan, it will be necessary 
to take. Under the conduit plan it will be necessary to take about 
half of this group, and also all of the small houses on the north side 
of P street, just west of the car barn. 

On the right bank, after the group of houses on the south side of P 
street, between Rock Creek and North street, are passed, we have an 
ash and refuse bank, 1,800 feet in length, extending to the M Street 
Bridge. Under either project this bank must be carefully excavated. 
It would not be practicable to build an ordinary class of houses upon 
such an unstable foundation. Under the open- valley plan it will be 
necessar}^, of course, to excavate this portion of the valley to a greater 
width, so as to permit of the building of the necessary roads and paths. 
Under the latter plan about 20 houses within this area would have to 
be purchased. Under the conduit plan there would be only 1 house, 
or rather a shed, that would have to be purchased. 

On the left bank and on the south side of P street there is located a 
large structure, which has been a riding academy, market, storage 
house, and is now an automobile garage. The foundations of this 
huge structure, under the tunnel plan, must be reinforced. Under 
the park plan it would be necessary to acquire and demolish a strip of 
this building on its west face and extending along its entire length. 

Continuing down the left bank of Rock Creek we find that it will 
be necessary to take only 1 house, or rather shed, under the conduit 
plan. Under the open-valley plan we have to purchase a few small 
brick buildings just south of O street, also 2 brick houses facing 
on Twenty-third street and 1 small apartm.ent houses facing on 
Twenty-fourth street. After this group of houses is passed there 
still remains only the shed referred to above as purchased under the 
conduit plan. Under the conduit plan, between M street and Pennsyl- 
vania avenue, we find it necessary to purchase on\j part of the Rock 
Creek Auto and Carriage Works, in addition, of course, to the unim- 
proved land needed. In the case of the open-valley plan it will be 
necessary to purchase the very expensive square known as " west 14," 
also the Lawton factory on the right bank of the creek. Under the 
conduit plan, however, it will only be necessary to reenforce the 
foundation walls of the Lawton factory. 

Upon square west 14 referred to we find 12 brick structures and 
4 frame ones. The Lawton factor}^ referred to is a very large brick 
structure, covering something over 7,000 feet of ground. 

Below Pennsylvania avenue on the right bank is square 1194, a 
portion of which is a Government reservation, and which is now used 
for the Washington Aqueduct office. Under both plans it is desir- 
able to take the balance of this square, which, in addition to the Gov- 
ernment buildings, has only one othep building, a large brick shed. 
On the left bank of Rock Creek, under the open-valley plan, we will 



20 IMPROVEMENT OF VALLEY OF ROCK CREEK. 

take 1 brick biiiltliii;^; in atldition to tlie necessary <j:rouiKl, whereas 
under tlie conduit plan it will not be necessary to include any build- 
ings at all. 

Below L street both the open-valley treatment and the conduit 
treatment mer^^e into the same plan, which consists of a park-way 
viaduct pariilleliu;; the creek and the river and connectini; at its 
other terminus with Pot(tmac Park. On either side of Kock Creek, 
betwet'ii L street and the river, within the desired ri<rht of way. we 
find about iiTi inexpensive frame structures, used mostly for business 
purposes. U'he country here is, as a rule, flat and uniuterestin;2^, but it 
IS thou«;ht that when improved as a jnirk it would be very interesting 
and the cost of improvement would l>e small. At L street the Ches- 
apeake and Ohio Canal enters the creek, and under any plan this fact 
must be ^iven due consideration. At H street the creek flows over a 
dam into the river. From II street south to Potomac Park, a via- 
duct will paiiillel the river, under our new j)laM. over «;round which is 
believed to belon<;- to. the United States, but which is now occupied, 
with the consent of the Government, l)y commercial plants. There 
is one exception, however, between G antl 11 streets, where there is 
a small strip of the AVashiniiton Gas Lioht Comi)any's plant, which 
it will be necessary to take, in order to carry out the existinjz plans 
for this section. It is thought, however, that this taking will not 
nuiterially interfere with the plant of the AVashinfrton (ias Lif;ht 
Company. The view from this viaduct, between Potomac Park and 
I street, will be a very iiiterestin": one. The river industries will 
aiford much [)leasure to the public using the elevated park-way. 

In the estimate of the third section, between L street and Potomac 
Park, we have assumed that all of squares 1103, 1171, and llTli will be 
purchased and improved eventually for park purposes. Of course, 
as long as the Chesapeake and .Ohio Canal is in operation, these 
squares will be used in part for commerce and storage incidental 
thereto. 

The following existing widths of valley will be of interest in con- 
sidering the development of the two ])r<)jects. All of these widths 
are measured at right angles to the thread of the valley. At Massa- 
chusetts avenue, at the grade of the avenue, the valley has a width 
of 700 feet: at th? north end of Oak Hill Cemetery, at the grade of 
Masachusetts avenue, ROO feet; at the south end of Oak Hill Ceme- 
tery, at the grade of Massachusetts avenue, 000 feet: at Q street, 830 
feet. The minimum wndth at the bottom of the slope at this point 
is 45 feet. At I* street the maximum width at the top is 000 feet, and 
at the bottom the minimum width is 00 feet. At Twenty-fourth 
street on the line of Twenty-foui'th street and at the grade of same, 
the width is oOO feet. At N sti-eet the jnaxiumm width at the top is 
210 feet, and the maximum width at the bottom is 55 feet. At M 
street the mnximnm width at the top is 230 feet, and the minimum 
width at the bottom is 80 feet. 

The following land within the limits of the projected improve- 
ments is now vested in the United States. This land amounts to 
about 8 acres: 

Eock Creek shaft pumping station, Washington Aqueduct. 

AVashington Aqueduct office. 

Potomac River frontage. * 



IMPROVEMENT OF VALLEY OP ROCK CREEK. 21 

Good foundations can be obtained throngliout the entire project 
sufficiently strong for carrying the necessary conduit and bridges. 
Above P street itis thought that the foundations ma^^ be economically 
carried to rock. BeloAv'P street the foundation will be carried on 
piles driven about 30 feet into sand. Along the river the foundations 
will be in part on piles and in part on rock. 

There are no parks in the immediate vicinity, excepting small ones 
such as Sheridan and Dupont circles. There are no parks in George- 
town. 

The buildings in the immediate vicinity of the project and above P 
street are sightly, although their backs are toward the creek. Below 
P street the surrounding buildings are all unsightly, and the present 
ash banks present a particularly undesirable landscape. Photograph 
No. 1 shows the attractive valley .from Q street looking north. The 
top of the level right bank is at the grade of Massachusetts avenue, 
and the encroaching fill is indicated in this part of the photograph 
by the trees which are being forced by the fill toward the creek. 
I^hotograph No. 2 shows the old Lyons Mill, and in the rear shows 
the grade of Massachusetts avenue. The houses in the extreme right 
of the photograph, also the one in the extreme left of the photograph, 
are facing on Massachusetts avenue. You will note in this photograph 
that the fill at the grade of Massachusetts avenue is encroaching upon 
the valley to a slight extent, as indicated by the condition of the trees. 
Photograph No. 3 shows the deplorable ash banks south of P street. 
This is a most unsightly section, between P street and M street, which 
we have to deal with. Photograph No. 4 shows the ash bank on the 
left bank of Rock Creek, about at the line of O street, and shows the 
fine possibilities we have of treating this valley. Photograph No. 5 
shows the same portion of the valley, taken from the other side. 
Photograph No. 6 shows the ash banks between P street and M street 
in their most unattractive portion. 

It has been proposed to purchase the entire Montrose tract for 
park purposes. This, of course, should not be done if the open- 
valley plan is carried out, because under this plan Georgetown and 
the adjacent portion of Washington would have an ample park 
for all purposes. Under the open-valley plan, however, it is most 
desirable to purchase the low level ground of the Montrose tract, 
as it can not logically be developed for any other purpose. 

If, however, the valley is developed by conduit, with only a 
IGO-foot boulevard over it, then it would be quite desirable to 
purchase the entire Montrose tract in order to give the citizens 
of Georgetown a suitable park. However, if conduit plan No. 2 
were adopted, a 400-foot level park boulevard would be constructed 
between Massachusetts avenue and Pennsylvania avenue, and this 
park Iboulevard would afford all the park area necessary, and under 
this plan the purchase of the high level ground of Montrose tract 
would not be necessary. 

Under the park plan the upper portion of this tract would af- 
ford most excellent building sites and its value would at least be 
doubled. It seems a poor policy to purchase high ground at high 
cost when there is plenty of low ground which would answer the 
purpose and which can now be purchased at a low cost. 

It has further been jDroposed to purchase the entire Thompson 
tract.. This tract will afford a most excellent park, but it lies out- 



22 IMPROVEMENT OF VALLEY OF ROCK CRKEK. 

sitlt' the iniiiioiliatf scope of (Ins iij(|niry, l)ein<; one of the collateral 
valleys in the Rock Creek basin, be^iile which fact it is north of 
Mi'ssaclnisetts avenue. 

The improvement of Kdck Creek between Massachusetts avenue 
and L stii'et is a tiiinfr that must be dom» at once in justice to the 
abutters and because any further delay will o:reatly increase the cost 
of the work antl seriously curtail an ellicicnt solution of the problein. 

Bef(U-e takin<; up the ^'cneral consideration of the two nu'thods of 
treatment it might be well to call your attention to the fact that 
conduit i)roject nuiy n(»t be extended further south than L street 
because of the riparian rights of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal 
Company, which canal is a material factor in the conunercial devel- 
opment of AVashington. In addition to this the roof of the conduit 
wt)uld be above the grade of the adjacent streets, involving an ex- 
pense without coujuiensurate return. At K street the toj) of the 
conduit would be 17 feet above the grade of the surrounding streets. 
The necessary expeiiditun^ to eliminate the canal below Pennsylvania 
avenue, giving an outlet west of Koclc Creek, w'ould be so enoi-mous 
as to be imworthy of consideration. This section of the (Mty is not 
desirable for residential ])urposes and the business interests would 
not be benefited by this unnecessary change in grade. 

In the plans of Mr. Samuel Parsons, of New York, made under 
the direction of the Secretary of War and approved by the Secretary 
of War, a parkway between the Potomac and Zoological jiarks was 
provided for by ac(|uiring all the land between Twenty-second and 
Twenty-fourth streets and extending from the old Naval Observa- 
tory to ]\rassachusetts avenue. At N street his plan widened out 
very rapidly and at P street his taking line extended only a few 
hundred feet from Wisconsin avenue. 

A parkway between the two parks is almost mandatory, and its 
precise location must be determined on the grounds of economy and 
practicability. As will be ])resented later in this report, I have to state 
that the most practical and economical pai'k connection will be over 
the land to be reclaimed in the improvement of Pock Creek, whether 
at high level under the conduit plan or at low level un<ler the ])ark 
plan. Therefore in consid(M'ing the se^■eral plans reported u|)on herein 
we must consider each of tliese plans, not only for the oblitiu-ation of 
the unsightly conditions, but also for the making of a park connection 
between our two main parks. Again, it is not only necessary to con- 
sider the alleviation of the existing conditions in so far as the abutters 
are concerned, but also which plan is better for the general improve- 
ment of the city. After a careful consideration I am of the opinion 
that if the coiuluit plan were carried out a boulevard having a width 
of about 400 feet should be provi<le(l as a j)ark' connection, as a park 
for (leorgetown and the adjacent poition of Washington, and as a 
general improvement for the city. However, a high-level boulevard 
of this type would be much less beautiful than the open valley, and 
very much more expensive. If a high-level boulevard were provided 
it would not be practicable to carr}' the north and south streets 
through the boulevard because of the unsightly patchy lay out which 
would result. 

It may be well here to call your attention to the fad that only 
main east and west streets can ever be cairied across the Zooloi^nciil 



IMPROVEMENT OF VALLEY OF ROCK CREEK. 23 

either side of these expensive parks. The great cost of carrying 
lines of communication across this parlc area will in itself prevent 
any large number of cross streets. To carry the streets at grade 
would be most undesirable, because heavy commercial travel would 
interfere with the park travel and, conversely, the park travel would 
interfere with the commercial travel. Further, many high-level 
cross streets would not only be impracticable because of the great 
cost of necessary bridges as well as the enormous cost of grading, 
but in addition to this the high-level drives would materially de- 
tract from the park effects. 

OPEN-VALLEY PLAN. 

For the details of this plan see sheets 2 to 6, inclusive. "We have 
considered this plan in three sections. First, from Massachusetts 
avenue to P street ; second, from P street to L street, and, third, from 
L street to Potomac Park. 

It is proposed to have a main road extending from Massachusetts 
avenue to the river and a main path extending the same distance, in 
a general way parallel to the main road. Where it is practical addi- 
tional driveways and paths are provided, and the entire area is de- 
veloped as a city park with the exception of section three, which is 
developed only as a parkAvay or park connection. The development 
of the banks of Rock Creek Valley between Massachusetts avenue and 
L street should be as an informal city park, because eventually the 
entire area will be in the heart of the city and therefore will be ac- 
cessible to a large percentage of our population. 

Section one could easily be developed into a very beautiful park, 
having a maximum width of 600 feet and a minimum width of 400 
feet at Q street. For all practical purposes, as far as park effects are 
concerned, we will make the total width include the Oak Hill Ceme- 
tery, in which case the total width would be 1,200 feet. At Massa- 
chusetts avenue the main drive will be carried through the fill in a 
tunnel having a width of 35 feet and a height of 24 feet. A single 
arch is recommended for this tunnel, rather than two small arches, 
because the natural lighting and ventilation of this tunnel is con- 
sidered of greater import than the small saving which would result 
by using a twin tunnel. The tunnel should be constructed of a light- 
colored concrete faced with a white cement, so that it would not have 
to be lighted excepting after twilight. One roadway and one main 
path will pass through the tunnel, and a second path will be carried 
on steel brackets at an elevation of about 20 feet through the exist- 
ing water-course tunnel or culvert. The level of the roadway of the 
tunnel is placed at 38 feet. It is thought that it will never be flooded 
excepting in the case of a flood very much greater than the so-called 
Johnstown flood of 1889. 

The upper level road on the left bank of the creek, which may be 
used as a bridle path, rises to the grade of Massachusetts avenue 
almost at the intersection of this avenue with Waterside drive. This 
is so arranged that anyone using this high-level drive may continue 
along Eock Creek on the high-level road after Massachusetts avenue 
is crossed. Furthermore, the upper portion of this high-level drive- 
way may be used temporarily as a connection across Massachusetts 
avenue until such time as it may be necessary to construct the tunnel 



24 IMPROVEMENT OF VALIJ:Y OF ROCK CREEK. 

luMt'inl)»'f()iv (Ifsciihod. By tliis hi^li-lovcl drivoway :i pailc connec- 
tion is j)r<)\i(l('(| with Massat'lmsclts avcniit- on the east siih* of Kock 
C'lvek. A siniihir connection would he made at Mtnie I'liliire time on 
the west side of Kock Creek. |i 

Before leavino; this sectitm of the improvement I wish to call your ■ 

attention apiin to the Kock Creek valley between Massachusetts " 

avenue and Connecticut avenue. This valley is a particularly beauti- 
ful one and nnist eventually be developed for park pur|)oses. In 
fai't there seems to be no other solution of the ju-oblem, because it 
would cost too nnich to carry the water in conduit and lill the valley 
to such a <;reat width and to be level with the suri'oundinjjf streets. 
Therefoi'e is is assumed that this portion of Kock Creek valley will 
un(|uestionably be developed as a park and sheet No. \-\ indicates, in 
a «!:eneral way, what the development of this section should be. 
"While not required under the act to ^ive an estimate for this work, it 
lias been apj)ended with the other estimates. 

In the upper part of section 1 a park entrance is made throu<:h 
Lovers Lane and Lovers Lane valley. In addition to this, al some 
future date it will be practicable to get a very good entrance with 
easy grades throuirh the extension of T street to Wisconsin avenue. 
The connection of Kock Creek drive with T street will also make an 
excellent connection between (leorgetown and \\'ashington. 

Starting from Massachusetts avenue, the main low-level drive is 
on the east side of the creek and parallels it in a general way until it 
reaches I^yons mill, at which point it crosses on a masonry bridge, 
and fi'om there on it continues down Rock Creek on the right bink 
until just below Pennsylvania avenue, where it recrosses the creek 
on a second low-level bridge. From tliere on this low-level drive con- 
tinues along the left bank of Rock Ci'eek until it I'caches a point where 
the creek runs into the river, and from there on this roadway and low- 
main path parallel the left bank of the river until they reach Potomac 
Park. As .stated before, this lower roadway and its accompanying 
path from Jj street south is carried upon a concrete steel viaduct at 
an elevation of about 20 feet above the existing ground. The bridge 
at Lyons mill should have a face of gneiss ashlai-. and the supei'struc- 
ture should be of brick to coui])()rt in general with the ohl Ijyons mill, 
which historic structure should l)e nuiintained. This low-level Lyons 
mill bridge is to be built on a heavy skew, so as to oll'er the best transi- 
tion possible between the main low level on the left bank and the con- 
tinuation of the same road on the right bank. The old mill road is 
too steej) for a connection, and therefore it has been subordinated in 
this plan. 

The main low-level road bi-anches out into a second road about 
SnO feet south of Massachusetts avenue. This latter road crosses the 
creek uj^on a one-span concrete bi-idge and continues a])pi"oximately 
parallel to the cieek, jjassing through Oak Hill Ceir-elery at an ele- 
vation of about 15 feet above the ci'cek bed. "Where this road crosses 
the Ijovers' Lane braiu-h there will be a ru.stic bridge having a length 
of about 1:50 feet. The taking of land for the low-level road which 
passes through Oak Hill Cemetery will not interfere with the opera- 
tion of the cemetery, as the ground taken is at low grade. Neither 
will it interfere with any existing graves. The taking line for this 
road is placed at some di>>tance from the neat line of the road, so that 

ir> +lw^ -Tiiiiii'n ili.ilTi «»ill 1 .11 tin lill cf/^i'l , »1> ll-ll»Il f lllwin llllC I'll-lll I IV iinV 



IMPROVEMENT OP VALLEY OP ROCK CREEK. 25 

operations in the cemetery. A path parallels this road, winding in 
and out among the trees, and a vine-covered concrete wall will be 
built along the taking line so as to protect the cemetery and further 
to screen the view of the cemetery from those using this low-level 
roadway. When this is done, this road and path will be among the 
most attractive ones within the park area. Just before the Lovers 
Lane rustic bridge is reached, the main road on the right bank 
branches into a second road, which passes up Lovers Lane Valley, 
connecting with Lovers Lane and also T street, as hereinbefore men- 
tioned, in a general way. Both the T street and Lovers Lane connec- 
tions are excellent ones, although Lovers Lane will have a maximum 
grade of about 10 per cent, which is 2^- per cent less than the exist- 
ing grade of the lane, T street, however, will connect with Wiscon- 
sin avenue at easy grades. 

For a number of years there has been more or less talk of the 
purchase of the entire Montrose tract for the purpose of affording 
Georgetown with a park. As stated hereinbefore, if Rock Creek 
Valley is developed on the lines laid clown in this report, the purchase 
of the high ground of the Montrose property would manifestly be 
unnecessary. Therefore we have located a curved street which limits 
the high ground of this estate and which street will afford most ex- 
cellent building sites, which will not, in any sense, detract from our 
general park plans. The treatment of the balance of the Montrose 
tract with the proper footpaths is clearly indicated on sheet No. 2. 

The upper road on the east side of Rock Creek, which was pre- 
viously referred to as intersecting Massachusetts avenue at Water- 
side drive, parallels in a general way the existing creek at an eleva- 
tion of about 45 feet above it. Its lowest level will be just back of 
Lyons mill, where it connects, by a back-switch road, with the main 
low-level driveway. From this point the upper-level roadway should 
rise until it reaches Q street at the grade of the high-level boundary 
streets. Thus at Q street we will have a park entrance to the low- 
level driveways. 

A bridge is proposed between Massachusetts avenue and S street in 
Washington and Twenty-eighth and R streets in Georgetown. The 
plans and elevation of this bridge are shown on sheets No. 2 and No. 
4. The bridge proposed for this location is a steel arch with piers of 
concrete. This connection is regarded as a very important one. It 
will, however, be necessary in order to build this bridge to remove 
about 250 graves. It is hoped that this will be effected at an early 
date, while there is yet time for reinterment in Oak Hill Cemetery. 
It appears that this bridge should not be built if opposed by the peo- 
ple of Georgetov/n, who have relatives buried in Oak Hill Cemetery. 
The construction of this bridge would be manifestly a benefit to 
Georgetown and almost solely to Georgetown, and if they do not 
desire the building of this structure it should be omitted from the 
plans. 

In locating the taking lines for this open-valley plan (see sheets 
2 and 3) they were made to cover all the low ground and the side 
slopes between high and low ground. Between the Massachusetts 
avenue culvert and S street, on the left side of the valley, careful 
consideration was given to the practicability of not taking the land 
between Waterside drive and the alley Avhich parallels Massachu- 
setts avenue. While this land is not very expensive, it seems not de- 



26 IMPROVEMENT OF VALLEY OP ROCK CREEK. 

siraltlo to take more ti^rouiul than was absolutely necessary. It ap- 
peared at first that it might be better to have the houses between R 
street and the Massachusetts avenue culvert face the park, which 
would have bet'ii the case if ^^'at('rside drive were raised to the <;rade 
of Massachusetts avenue. However, after a careful consideration of 
this matter it was decided that if this drive were raised, the iiliiny 
woidtl piesent a very unsi<rhtly condition for many yeais. and it is 
believed that the class of houses which will be built alon<^ Massa- 
chusetts avenue will not have unsiiifhtlv backs, and if the builders of 
new houses be advised that a park will unquestionably be jilaced as 
recommended in this repoi't, it is thought that they will take care to 
make the backs of their houses presentai)le. Again, it is l)elieved 
that if Waterside drive were raised to the grade of Massachusetts 
aveinie the class of houses that woidd be built on this new fill would 
be very imsightly. and of course very muc-h closer than the backs of 
the houses on Massachusetts avenue. 

The lay out of paths in the entire project will not be described, 
except to say that G per cent has been regarded as the maximum for 
main paths. Where this grade Avould have been exceeded on minor 
paths, steps have been introduced at intervals to keep the maxiunmi 
grade at <'• })er cent. It may also be interesting to state liciv tliat none 
of the roadway grades exceed G per cent, excepting the old ]\rill road 
and Trovers lane. The jiaths have been st) located, in so far as it 
was found practicable, so that one path will not be seen from another, 
neither will one road be seen from another, nor will a path be seen 
from a road. Where steep slopes are necessary, it is not intended 
that the slopes shall be laid out with mathematical precision, but 
hills and hollows will be formed so as to present a natural and pleas- 
ing ai)pearance. Upon boundary streets, on the park side of the side- 
walks, a steel railing w^ill be provided with stone posts at intervals of 
10 or 12 feet. 'J'lie reason this open railing has l)een selected rather 
than a stone parapet was that people using the iip{)er level driveways 
and sidewalks will be able to see into the park. 

It is provided under this plan that the Washington Aqueduct 
pumping plant will be maintained in its present position, and pro- 
vision is nuule for the haiding of nuiterial to this plant along easy 
gi-ades. A direct path is also provided between the pumping plant 
and Massachusetts avenue. 

The lowest elevation of all roads and paths is 15 feet and the ruling 
elevation is 20 feet. These elevations were decided upon after a care- 
ful consideration of freshet records. 

The creek has been confined within retaining walls wherever .scour 
is probable. In estimating the cost of the wall a pile foundation was 
assumed in the lower j)ortion of the project and a spread footing in 
the upper. In the tlesign of other retaining walls necessary for the 
construction of roads and paths due consideration was given to the 
cost of all foundations. The river or sea wall is regarded as founded 
on r(Mk. 

Where fences are necessary in the park, a rustic concrete or stone 
parapet iuis been figured upon. Approximate designs of all bridges 
were made so as to get an accurate basis of estinuite. All bridges 
were designed to carry a unifoiiu load of 12;") pounds per s(|uare foot. 
A concentrated wagon load of .'50 tons on four wheels, 10 feet centers 



IMPROVEMENT OF VALLEY OE EOCK GREEK. 27 

between axles, or a concentrated load of a 70-ton car on two trucks, 
distance between trucks being assumed at 40 feet. 

From Q street down to Pennsylvania avenue there are two high- 
level boundary streets which are so located that all of the houses in 
this section of the project will face the park. The diiference in level 
between the streets on the opposite sides of the park is small, as a 
rule, have a diiference of elevation of about 5 feet with a maximum 
difference of 10 feet. 

As stated before, we have in this portion of the park a main low- 
level driveway and two main low-level walks which approximately 
parallel the creek. Near the intersection of P street with North 
street we have a park connection between P street and the low -level 
park road. On the other side of the valley we have a similar con- 
nection between the prolongation of Twenty-fifth street near its 
intersection with N street. This entrance to the park crosses over a 
concrete bridge and connects with the main low-level park drive. 
The valley in this section is widened to a minimum width between 
building lines of 500 feet. 

The two high-level streets referred to will have roadways 30 feet 
in width and two sidewalks, the one next to the park having a width 
of 10 feet and the one on the opposite side having a width of 7 feet. 
On the building side of the street there will also be a narrow parking 
and a narrow tree space. The sidewalks on the park side will be 
shaded by trees, planted on the park side of the railing. Numerous 
observation bays will be provided in this section, and at nearly all 
street intersections there will be paths leading down into the valley. 

As the result of the confluence of streets, there will be five small 
triangular paries at the high level and in addition to this there will 
be a small triangular park near the intersection of P street with 
North street. As shown on sheet No. 2, the old quarry south of O 
street and between Twenty-third and Twenty-fourth streets will be 
uncovered. 

Main thoroughfares connecting Washington and Georgetown are 
provided in this section. Q street, P street, N street, M street, and 
Pennsylvania avenue are carried across the creek. The only cross 
street of any value which is made noncontinuous, is O street, but this 
street is noncontinuous at several other points in the city of Wash- 
ington. However, the necessary detour on account of this lack of 
continuity is very small. If, at any future time it was deemed 
desirable, O street, Georgetown, might be connected with the curved 
park street on the east bank, which takes the place of O street. If at 
any time it were deemed advantageous and desirable to extend Olive 
street across the creek, this of course might be done at a comparatively 
small expense. This, hoAvever, seems highly improbable at this time. 

North and south streets are not carried across the valley because 
the travel along these streets is light and the necessary detour under 
the park plan is small and the benefits which would derive from the 
continuity of these streets would not be commensurate with the 
necessary cost. In addition to the triangular high level parks de- 
scribed, there will be a small high-level park in square 35, which 
might be used advantageously for a playground. It is thought 
that the portion of the park between N and P streets could be de- 
veloped as the most beautiful urban park in the world. The oppor- 
tunities for attractive development are great. A street on the west 



28 IMPROVEMENT OF VALIJ-:Y OF ROCK CREEK. 

siili' of 1v(k1v Creek is sliown connect iii«x P street witli Q street. It 
IS iK'HeMil that the car haiii has ahnnst reached the end of its useful- 
ness and that the I'ailroad coniitany woidd weh-onie thi' hiy out of 
streets which wouhl dexeh))) this property l)esl for resi(h>ntial )>ur- 
poses. Tliis street, however, is regarded as desirable rather than 
mantiator)'. 

As stated hereinhefore a small portion of the low fjround of Oak 
Hill Cemetery will be taken as a road. In extending; this road be- 
low Lyons mill it will be necessary to take a small portion of the 
low. level LM'ound of the Mount Zion (^enieterv. There aie no <ri'aves 
in this section of the cemetery. A trian;ruhir space, inchidetl be- 
tween Q stieet, Ivoi'k Creek, and Mount Zion Cemetery is shown as 
taken, and it will l)e used for pai'k j>urposes. Q street is widened 
on the Georgetown side and a curved connection with Q street is 
suggested for Kast place, so that that street will not have a bliiul end. 

It is also suggested, but is not deemed essential to the park plans, 
to extend Cambridge street to Twenty-eighth street, thence by curved 
street to Q street. The construction of this street wc^uld develop 
considei'able residential proi)ei'ty. The extension of Twenty-seventh 
street to meet the cur\ed street is also sugiresled. The construction 
of a sti'cet west of the car Imi'n, connecting P street with Q street, 
is suggested, but not included in the estimates of this report. 

It may be well here to call attcnticm to the ash and street-sweep- 
ing dumj) which lies almost in the extension of O street and between 
Twenty-third and Twenty-fifth streets. This bank is constantly 
sloughing into the creek during heavy rains and it is thought it would 
be totally impracticable to develoj) this section of Pock Creek for 
park purposes without taking out nearly all of this undesirable 
refuse. 

The narrowest portion of the ]iark in this section, in fact in the 
entire i)ark between Massachusi'lts a\enue aid Pennsylvania avenue, 
is nearly as wide between parai)et w aJls as Lafayette Park. You will 
notice that below Q street on the high-level street sections, that prac- 
tically none of the houses will face the park excepting those on the 
noitii side of P street between the end of the P Street Bridge and 
North street. The garage at Twenty-second and P streets and a 
few small houses on Tsvenly-se\en(h street will unquestionably dis- 
appear when this work of reclamation is executed. 

The expensive i)r<)j)erty which nuist be taken between M sti'cet 
and l*ennsylvania avenue has been referred to before in this report. 
This will be clearly seen by examining sheets 1 and 2, which show 
the area taken aiid the necessity for same. 

The existing P street bridge is in fair condition and would last, 
inider »»rdiuary conditions, about twenty yt'ais. The existing M 
street bridge is also in fair condition and will last about the same 
nuudter of years. The Pennsylvania aM'Uue bridge is in fair condi- 
tion, but is too weak to carry heavy tiavel. The War Department 
has deemed it necessary, on account of its weakness, to recpiire that all 
horses crossing this bridge should be kept at a walk. Further, this 
bridge is too narrow, anil on account of its narrowness and weak- 
ness, it is necessary for the cais on Pennsylvania avemie to make an 
unsightly ami ihingerous detour in order to get to (leorgetown. This 
bridge should be icbuilt at an early date to a<-couimodate existing 

lr;l\cl :llld 1 lie si led c:l •••^ slutllid iT(i-,s llils new lirKhre iiistc:ld of Af 



IMPEOVEMENT OF VALLEY OF ROCK CREEK. 29 

street. All of the three bridges mentioned have wooden floors, and 
it is thought that they are of such permanent type that asphalt floors 
should never be placed upon them. 

K street bridge has just been rebuilt and need not be replaced. 

The only street connection between Georgetown and the city proper 
below L Street (this portion of the project is known as section 3) is at 
K street. At present there is no reason for carrying any other street 
across the creek in this section of the work, nor is it thought that addi- 
tional cross streets will ever be needed. Only the low park road and 
one parallel path is extended into this lower section. This road and 
j)ath cross the creek just above the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, and 
from this point to Potomac Park the road and path (or sidewalk) is 
carried on a concrete steel viaduct about a half mile in length. The 
low-level bridge at the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal will be at about 
the same level as L street, at such grade so that canal craft using this 
portion of the creek will not be interfered with. 

The object of carrying the road and sidewalk on a viaduct in this 
section was so as not to interfere with commerce and yet have the road 
and path near the water's edge, where a fine view may be had of the 
river, the shore of Virginia, and the immediate shipping. Such con- 
nections from this viaduct to the street system may be made from 
time to time as may be necessar3^ 

The viaduct will cross K street at an elevation of 20 feet above the 
present grade of the street. From L street to G street it is intended 
to purchase all of the ground from the east line of the viaduct to the 
Avest line of Rock Creek and also squares 1171, 11T2, and 1193 and 
develop this ground partly for park purposes and partly for commer- 
cial purposes. The viaduct will cross the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, 
or Rock Creek, on a steel bridge at the bend of the creek, just before 
the creek empties into the river. This is not really a crossing of the 
creek, but really a crossing of the bend of the creek. 

From the mouth of Rock Creek to Potomac Park it is intended to 
build a new sea wall. It is assumed that the average depth of this sea 
wall will be below mean low tide 25 feet, and the top of the wall 
above mean low tide 9 feet. It is assumed that the foundations of this 
wall will be on rock, and at the foundation the wall will have a width 
of 18 feet. 

It is believed that all of the existing land lying west of the east 
building line of Twenty-seventh street belongs to the United States, 
and it is recommended that the Department of Justice be requested 
to determine as to the ownership so that possession may be taken, if 
the land is owned by the United States. It is intended, under the 
existing plan, that this land be developed on its present commercial 
lines. The location of the concrete steel viaduct has been given 
careful consideration, and the location has been made so as to inter- 
fere as little as possible with the maintenance and operation of exist- 
ing plants. It is further recommended that all of sqiiares 1171, 
1172, and 1193 be purchased at such time as the viaduct is constructed 
and this ground be developed on definite commercial and park lines 
so as to present an attractive view when seen from the viaduct. The 
view from the viaduct will be a very interesting one, and the park 
effect will be found more beautiful in this section than the upper 
section because of the view of the river and the shore and hills of 



30 IMPROVEMENT OF VALLEY OF ROCK CREEK. 

Vir*riMia. 'I'lic viaduct has been so located as not to interfere nia- 
(eiially with the operation of the Washington Gasli«;lit Company's 
phint. 

Tlie quay alon<; the river front will have a miniinnni wi(hh of 150 
feet, inchuling that portion of liie quay beneatli the viatluct, which 
may he used for storage pur{)o.ses. In the estimates it is assumed that 
the \vli(»Ie quay is pa\ed with irranite block and also that all intersect- 
in«z streets are made to connect with the quay at grade. These con- 
nections are included in the estimates. 

It is recommended that the improvement of Rock Creek, from 
Massachusetts avcmu' to L street, be executed as early as possihle, as 
the existing conditions are unsightly, insanitary, relaid ti»e proper 
development of the abutting sections, and are a reflcciion ui)on tlie 
entire city of Washington. The improvement of the lower section 
need not be executed until there is an actual demand for a park con- 
nection between the Zoological and Potomac parks. Delay in carry- 
ing out this lower project will not add anything to its cost, whereas 
delay in the upper section will not only add materially to the final 
cost, but such delay will materially interfere with the proper extnui- 
tion of the ])lans. The improvement of the section between L street 
and Pennsylvania avenue can not be effectively executed piecemeal. 
The money should \)o appiopi'iated to purchase all the land necessary, 
and the work should then proceed S3'stematically for the attainment 
of the completed project. A cnrsory study of the building construc- 
tion in the vicinity of the proposed park will show at once the neces- 
sity for fixing, as soon as possible, the final location of the streets in 
this vicinity. 

SE:MirOXDl IT. 

In this design the open-valley tivatment is carried from Massa- 
chusetts avenue to () street. In this upper section the open valley 
and the semiconduit are practically identical. Under the semit-on- 
duit plan the section from O street to L street is developed by con- 
duit and fill. From L street to Potomac Park the treatment is 
exactly the same as for the open valley. 

The idea of working up the semiconduit project was to determine 
wliether or not the conduit or open-valley treatment from () street 
to Pennsylvania avemie would be the more economical or otiierwise 
a desirable one. In the design suhmitted hci-cwith the conduit is 
built upon the existing bed of the creek. All of the poor class of 
bank tilling (about 20(),0{)0 cul)ic yai-ds) in the adjacent banks must 
be removed because it 'svill not make suitable foundation material 
for first-class houses. East, west, north, and south streets are made 
continuous between O street and Pennsylvania avenue. The grades 
are so workeil out that in case the conduit should become stopped up 
the water would be confined, practically, to the new boulevard street 
which is provided. This boulevard would have two roadways and 
would be directly over the conduit extending from Pennsylvania 
avenue to O strevt. At O street one roadway connects with the low 
level, and the other continues to P street, making a through connec- 
tion. The cost of this semiconduit plan over the open valley is about 
$340,000. It olTers some small advantages, in having the continuity 
of one north and south street, also one east and west street, which 
are noncontinuous in the open-valley plan, but as an improvement 



IMPROVEMENT OF VALLEY OF ROCK CREEK. 31 

to the abutting section it is almost useless. The conditions that 
exist to-day will be the conditions that will exist for an indefinite 
time if this plan be adopted. It not only offers no advantage to the 
abutters, but none to the entire city, nor does it give a park connec- 
tion worthy of the name. 

FULL CONDUIT PLAN NO. 1. 

Under the full-conduit plan, sheet No. 9, the conduit will start at 
the present Massachusetts avenue culvert, which supports the exist- 
ing fill of that avenue, and from this point it will follow down the 
creek in a general way until Lyons mill is reached. At this point it 
turns rather abruptly to the right, crosses the creek, and passes in 
tunnel under the camel back or ridge which extends from Q- street 
to P street. After it pierces this small ridge it continues down the 
bed of the creek until L street is reached. This is the terminus of the 
semiconduit plan. From L street down to Potomac Park the treat- 
ment will be identical with that of the open-valley and semiconduit 
plan. 

The foundations of the conduit are carried to rock in the upper 
section, extending almost to O street, whereas below this street the 
structure will be supported on piles driven into sand. The conduit 
should be constructed of concrete, reenforced with steel. A cunette 
should be provided in the bottom to carry the dry-weather flow. The 
cunette, the bottom of the conduit, and the sides up to 6 or 7 feet 
above the bottom, should be paved with vitrified block laid in cement. 

Following the conduit there will be a boulevard 160 feet in width. 
The center line of the conduit and street do not agree throughout the 
entire course, but everywhere the conduit lies within the building 
lines of this boulevard, excepting near Massachusetts avenue, where 
the center line of the conduit passes under an area reserved for park 
purposes. It is thought advisable to have this conduit located within 
the street lines, so that repairs can be made without injury to the 
abutting property. In this plan, north, south, east, and west streets 
are carried across the creek, excepting above Q street, where two 
cemeteries interfere with the continuity of the streets. II street, 
Georgetown, however, connects with Q street by slight detour, and T 
street is made continuous across the creek. The grades have been so 
studied that should the conduit become stopped up in any way the 
overflow would be confined to the boulevard described hereinbefore. 
Above Sheridan circle the boulevard parallels Massachusetts avenue, 
and the houses on the west side of the street will be built with their 
backs toward the cemetery. Only eighty graves are interfered with 
in the extension of this boulevard through Oak Hill Cemetery, and 
a less number will be disturbed in Mount Zion Cemetery. A small 
park is provided between the boulevard, T street, and Massachusetts 
avenue. The land at this point is cheap, the fill i§ heav}^, and it was 
found more economical not to fill the land, but to develop it as a park. 
As no other park is provided for Georgetown under this plan, it is 
highly desirable that the Montrose tract should be purchased and de- 
veloped as a park. This estimate has not been included in the general 
estimates submitted herewith, but it would be well to consider the 
necessity for a park in considering this plan. 



32 IMPROVEMENT OF VALLEY OF ROCK CREEK. 

riu' ;i(l\ iiii(:i«it's of ilic upcii-x allcv plan <t\t'r till' full cniKliiit have 
hvvu >tatcHl in iny U-lli-r to C'a|)tain MaiUliani and ncctl not he re- 
peaU'd here. In the otiinales it is as^iiiiicti that the Nallev (in the 
full eoiitluit plans) will he tilled iinmediately upon the eoii^truct ion 
of the conduit or eonsliuetion of part of the conduit. The valley 
never can he lilled hy cellar excavations and ashes, as has heen as- 
sumed for many years. The material taken from the tunnel 
tion of the conduit will only j^ive ahout 2.8 per cent of the till neces- 
sary. The exca Nations from the tunnel would he just ahout enou^di 
to till up the hed of the creek from one end to the other, hut it W(Mild 
not noticeahly add toward the filling of the \alley. 1'k'Iow O st'"«!t 
it has heen assumed in the estimates that it will l)e necessary to exca- 
vate ahout t200,000 cuhic yards of p()(ti' material which has heen 
dumped alon^ the creek from time to linu'. This material consists of 
ashes and other refuse, which is not fit to build upon. In this report 
it is assumed that the fill will he hroufjht from Vir<j:inia, as there is 
not suflicient lill to waste in the hills immediately adjacent to the 
creek. If the 'J'hompson tract is sold to the United States and de- 
veloped for park purposes, a considenrhle amount of the (ill can he 
gotten west of Kock Creek, because this tract of land referred to com- 
prises an enormous low area, which was considered in figuring the 
cuts and fills under approved hifrhway grades. In the estimates will 
be found a statement of the cost of raising the Washington Aqueduct 
house and appui'tenances to grade. 

It is thought desirable, but not mandatory, to carry Twenty-fourth 
street through to (^ street in a location of about 150 feet west of the 
present location of Twenty-fourth street. Unfortunately this street 
AYOuld pass through the expensive pro])erty of the AVasliington Kail- 
way and Electric Comi)any, therefore between 1* and Q streets it 
may be necessary to abandon the idea of the Twent^v-fourth street 
extension. 

Under the plans, such streets as have asphalt on either side of the 
creek, are connected with an asphalt roadway under the new plans. 
The balance of the streets will have first-class macadam roadways 
with coblde gutters and curbing. Cement sidewalks are provided 
tlirougliout. 

In order not to have unsightly conditions between the completion 
of the till and the time when the projjerty is sold, <"i inches of top 
soil is provided and the area is sown with grass seed, which is to be 
cut to present a pleasing appearance. Trees are also assumed as 
being planted along new streets. The extensions of storm sewers 
to connect with the conduit and the construction of the west side 
interceptor are included in the estimates. 

FULL CONDUIT PLAN NO. 2. 

In the second project it is contemplated that the conduit would be 
located as in conduit plan No. 1. The second conduit plan differs froin 
the first in that it has a 400-foot boulevard between Pennsylvania 
avenue and Massachusetts avenue. This park, or parkway, has two 
flanking or boundarA' streets and a park drive, bridle path, and pedes- 
trian paths on either side of the main park drive. On either side of 
these roads and paths and between the Hanking streets will be a 



IMPEOVEMENT OF VALLEY OF ROCK CREEK. 33 

park area having a width of about 80 feet. This area will be devel- 
oped, in a general way similar to that shown on sheet 11 on the west 
side of the park boulevard and between N and O streets. North and 
south streets are made noncontinuous, north and south travel being- 
made through boundary streets. In addition to the east and west 
sicv^'ts made continuous under the open-valley plan, we have O street 
under the conduit plant No. 2. The grades of the parkway are so ar- 
ranged that in case of overflow the water will be confined to the park 
area and not scattered over the adjacent section of the city. The con- 
njBAtion with Potomac Park, below Pennsylvania avenue, will be the 
same as in the three preceding projects. 

This plan is impracticable on account of the great cost, therefore in 
writing this portion of the report I have not attempted to go into 
detail. 

S. Doc. 458, 60-1 3* 

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TREATMENT OF ROCK CMRK 

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pjOPOSED SECTIONS 



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iREXTMFiNT OP ROCK CREEK 

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PRESlNTAND PROPOSED SECTIONS 

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TREATMENT OF ROCK CRKKK 

FROM 

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OFFICE OP THB ENGINEER COMMISSIONER D.C. 

SEMi_CONDUlT PLAN 

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[ D.C. 

FES. 1. 1908 



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TRE.\TMENT OF ROCK CW.KK 

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MASS. AX-E. TO RIVER 
SEMi-CONDUIT PLAN 



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TAKING LINE . . 

STREETS SUGGESTED '.■.:■.'. 



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OFFICE OF THE ENGINEER COMMISSIONED D.C. 

SEM}_CONDUIT PLAN 
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TRE,\TMENT OF ROCK CREEK 

FROM 

MASS. AV-E. TO RIVER 
FULL CONDUIT PLAN No.l 

TAKING Map 



LEGEND 
FRAME STRUCTURES 
BRICK OH STONE STRUCTURES- 
TAKING LINE 
STREETS SUGGESTED 
OR U S PROPERTY 







TREATMENT OF ROCK CRejjk 

FROM 

MASS. AVE. TO RIVER 
FULL CONDUIT PLAN N0.2 



COlOflSSiaVER D.r 






I 



M 



I 




FRAME STRUCTURES 

BRICK OR STONE STRUCTURES 

TAKING LINE 

STREETS SUGGESTED 

DC OR US PROPERTY 






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tri;atment oj' rock creek 

FROM 

ZOOLOGICAL PARK TO iMASS. AVE 







COSTPET! LINEAL rOCTT OtCONDUIT CONST-RUCTION, 
OuYda Concrete flrchTflng abore5^ng.L. 
. . . ■Hiundcihon below • • 

. . 5l~t 

. Zucovohon 
■«oek Till 
Sc^, Yd*. YllriFied "Bnck. 
Piloa 
Lbs. Sleel 



Plan or3TRUTs\PiLETbuNi>fiTiON 



"TREflTMENT ofRock Creek 

MftSS.fivX.TO ■RivTH 

OTTlCtorTHErNSlNErH commissionerXiC 

Se&iion andEotimale o/Th3j»aed 

Condu.l from Ttnn, five to 5t 

. _^., /. <i,^\t*^._ Ensineeh orBiiiPeisTiC 






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